[Unpad.ac.id, 30/10/2013] Faculty of Social and Political Science of Universitas Padjadjaran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of education, research, and community service with the Directorate-General for ASEAN cooperation of the Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday (30/10) at Bale Sawala, Jatinangor, in order to establish an ASEAN Studies Center in Unpad.
The MoU was signed by the dean of the faculty of social political science, Prof. Dr. H. Asep Kartiwa, S.H., M.S., and Director-General of ASEAN Cooperation Kemlu RI, Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja. According to I Gusti, the ASEAN Studies Center in Unpad is first to be established in West Java in welcoming the ASEAN Community 2015.
The ASEAN Community 2015 will increase cooperation among ASEAN countries in economic, social, cultural, or political fields. “Two years from now, we must be ready to enter a competition with other ASEAN countries.
In the future, the ASEAN Studies Center in Unpad will be the center for the study of Southeast Asia. It also plays an active role in promoting all the potentials in West Java through a network of cooperation with other ASEAN member countries.
He further explained, the establishment of the ASEAN Studies Center in Indonesia is motivated by the lack of studies on ASEAN region in Indonesia. Whereas, many have predicted that in the future Southeast Asia will be one of the pillars of world economy.
To date, ASEAN Studies Centre have been established 7 universities in Indonesia, namely Gajah Mada University, Brawijaya University, University of Indonesia, Sam Ratulangi University, Andalas University and Hassanuddin University. The one to be established in Unpad will the eight ASEAN studies center in Indonesia. “We expect each ASEAN Studies Center in Indonesia to have its own specialty. Students are also encouraged to actively contribute in the center as the future generation ASEAN community members ,” I Gusti added.
Focusing on Economic Development
As I Gusti said, each ASEAN Studies Centre must have a focus of scientific development. For example, the ASEAN Studies Centre at Sam Ratulangi Univeristy focuses on Southeast Asia maritime.
The ASEAN Studies Center at Unpad is to focus on Southeast Asia economy, which, according to Prof. Asep, will hopefully have an impact on the development West Java economy. “With the launching of Bandung to Kuala Lumpur flight route with daily frequency, about 1,500 passengers per day use the service. This indicates that people mobility from West Java to ASEAN countries is quite high,” he said. Prof. Asep hopes that the ASEAN Studies Center at Unpad will also become an opportunity for investment and help improve West Java economic development.
In addition to the MoU signing, also held a seminar on “Indonesia’s and West Java’s readiness Ahead of ASEAN Community 2015: Opportunities and Challenges” with Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Prof. Drs. Yanyan m. Yani, MAIR, PhD (Unpad academician), as speakers, along with Iwan Gunawan (vice-chairman of West Java Chambers of Commerce and industry), and Drs. H. Ibnu Sina, M.M. (Chief Merchandizing LN Disperindag Jabar). *
