Public RelationsUPNVJ - National Development University "Veteran" Jakarta is exploring various collaborations with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as part of the spirit of collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia in the field of education. The assessment was carried out at the end of the launch ceremony for the Center for Malaysia-Indonesia Relations (iKMI), which is located at The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Jakarta on Sunday, September 3 2023. The main goal of iKMI is to become a regional research center of excellence within the framework of Indonesia-Malaysia relations. To increase iKMI's networking and visibility, cooperation schemes will be established with various prestigious universities in Indonesia, including UPNVJ.

In the initial phase, UKM will collaborate with Prasetiya Mulya University (UPM) which focuses on joint research and programs in the fields of trade, investment and the ASEAN Community. Meanwhile, with UPNVJ, UKM conducted an assessment first.

In particular, UPNVJ Chancellor Dr. Anter Venus, MA.Comm discussed with the Chancellor of UKM, Professor Dato' Gs. Ts. Dr. Mohd Ekhwan Hj. Toriman at the end of the event. Both parties agreed to establish various collaborations in the future, including lecturer exchange schemes or joint research in the spirit of strengthening relations between the two countries as one nation.

As a campus with a strong international network, UKM is willing to facilitate UPNVJ in developing itself. On the other hand, UPNVJ will also provide its resources in developing international studies that are being developed in UKM.

After talking intensively, the Chancellor of UPNVJ and UKM both hoped that they could immediately implement the various cooperation programs that had been discussed. The meeting between the two reflected the concept of togetherness in ASEAN and also the emotional ties as one nation.

"We hope to establish a lot of cooperation and agreements between the two universities. It is also hoped that UPNVJ can achieve success in the future," said UKM Chancellor Professor Dato' Gs. Ts. Dr. Mohd Ekhwan Hj. Toriman.

Meanwhile, several important guests also attended the event. They are the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato' Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, and the former Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Hassan Wirajuda.

Foreign Minister Retno welcomed UKM and UPM who had agreed to collaborate in various fields. This collaboration is part of the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia, including in the field of education, which have been strong for more than six decades.

"We are not only neighbors, but also allied. Our two countries are inseparable, so the only option is to work together," said Foreign Minister Retno.