UNAIR NEWS – Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia, HE Muhammad Hassan visited Universitas Airlangga to explore the potential of educational cooperation on Thursday, September 8, 2022, in Universitas Airlangga Campus MERR (C). It aligns with point 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Hassan believed that Universitas Airlangga, a leading national university, is one of the most congenial institutions to collaborate with.

“We have always been interested in visiting UNAIR,” said Hassan, who has visited various universities in Indonesia. He also had already signed collaborations with some universities.

The Pakistani Embassy to Indonesia made the visit because it is interested in doing some academic collaboration with Indonesia.

“We have only one objective, to explore the potential cooperation and collaboration. Hopefully, we could discuss this collaboration further in the future,” he said.

The academic collaboration between Indonesia and Pakistan has been going on for a long time. Student exchange programs have occurred since the 1960s.

“We have a strong historical bond,” he said.

However, Hassan believed that the academic collaboration has not been optimal as it should be. Less than 100 Pakistani students are pursuing studies at 3,000 universities in Indonesia. In contrast, less than 400 Indonesian students study in Pakistan.

“Two hundred students are studying in the same institution,” he said. It encouraged Pakistan to seek more academic collaboration with Indonesia.

The Pakistani Embassy to Indonesia is currently focusing on the education sector. According to Hassan, the high number of student exchanges will benefit Indonesia and Pakistan.

“We are interested in the study exchange program. I believe it will benefit both countries. Hopefully, we could collaborate in the future. We will always be open whenever intervention is needed,” he said.

Author: Ghulam Phasa Pambayung Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia