HumasUPNVJ - The National Development University "Veteran" Jakarta held the establishment of the Center for Central Asian Studies on Friday, August 30, 2024. The event was divided into three sessions, namely an exhibition, film screening, and seminar starting at 10.00 WIB.
Starting the first session, the Head of the UPNVJ International Affairs Office (KUI) conveyed his welcome and deep appreciation to all embassy representatives, invited guests, and institutions that have supported this event.
The exhibition, which was inaugurated by the Head of KUI UPNVJ and the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, HE Mr. Serzhan Abdykarimov, is expected to provide broader insight to the Indonesian people regarding the history and environment of Kazakhstan.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the inauguration of the exhibition symbolized the beginning of closer collaboration between the two countries. In his speech, Abdykarimov expressed his gratitude to UPNVJ for organizing the event so well. He also emphasized the importance of increasing the knowledge of the Indonesian people about Kazakhstan, especially regarding the country's history, tourism, and commitment to global prosperity.
In the film screening session, the International Day Against Nuclear Testing was also commemorated, which falls one day earlier, namely August 29. Kazakhstan's long history as one of the countries affected by nuclear testing during the Soviet era became an important background for the screening of a documentary film that depicts the negative impacts of nuclear testing.
Symbol of Shared Commitment
Kazakhstan, through its commitment to close its nuclear test site and give up its nuclear arsenal, has set an example to the world in its commitment to disarmament and global peace.
After the screening of the first film about the impact of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan, the event continued with the screening of the second film introducing Kazakhstan's tourism potential. The film aims to show Kazakhstan's natural and cultural riches that can be a tourist attraction for the international world.
The seminar session was enlivened by a pencak silat performance from UPNVJ and Dombra music, a traditional musical instrument from Kazakhstan.
In his remarks, the Head of KUI UPNVJ emphasized the importance of the inauguration of the Center for Central Asian Studies at UPNVJ as a symbol of a shared commitment to strengthening academic and cultural relations between Indonesia and Central Asia. He also highlighted the close cooperation between UPNVJ and various institutions in Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan, and expressed his deep appreciation to all parties who contributed to the establishment of this center.
Indonesia-Central Asia Collaboration
UPNVJ Rector Anter Venus in his speech expressed his gratitude to all attendees and explained that the establishment of the Center for Central Asian Studies was an important milestone in the university's efforts to become an international center of academic excellence.
The center is expected to be a platform for research, dialogue, and partnerships that will pave the way for future collaborations in education, research, and cultural exchange.
The ribbon cutting for the inauguration of the study center was carried out by the Chancellor of UPNVJ and Ambassador Abdykarimov.
.
In the keynote speech session, Ambassador Abdykarimov expressed his gratitude for the establishment of the Center for Central Asian Studies and explained the importance of this center not only for Indonesia, but also for the Asian region as a whole.
This seminar also included statements from the Charge D'Affaires of the Kazakh Embassy to Indonesia, Oybek Abdiev, senior diplomat of the Center for Policy Strategy for the Asia Pacific Region, Baskara Pradipta, and lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UPNVJ, Andi Kurniawan.
The seminar was closed with closing remarks from the Head of KUI UPNVJ, who expressed his gratitude and invited further participation through guest lectures and joint lectures to support the activities of the Center for Central Asian Studies at UPNVJ.