Indonesia And Japan Build Cooperation For Human Resources Improvement

Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Makarim with the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Kanasugi Kenji in Jakarta, Friday (27/1/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Makarim together with the Japanese Government through the Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Kanasugi Kenji followed up on cooperation in developing Human Resources (HR).

"This is in line with the IISMA program, which is an internship program abroad which is an opportunity for the Japanese government to increase cooperation," Nadiem Makarim said in an official statement quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, February 2.

The follow-up to the HR development collaboration, which includes education, research, and technology, was carried out through a visit by Kanasugi Kenji to the Ministry of Education and Culture last week.

The meeting discussed the achievement of WA Project: Forward Interactive Asia through Fusion and Harmony" initiated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-JAPAN Friendship and Cooperation in 2013.

Japan also asked for an amendment to the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) by adding that the explanation of the status of The Japan Foundation is a representative office that does not take advantage of cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Kenji explained that Indonesian youth can work and continue their education in Japan considering that Japan's population has decreased by 500 thousand per year to many Japanese companies forming production bases and experts bases in Indonesia.

Responding to the Japanese Government's move, Nadiem emphasized the importance of cooperative relations between Indonesia and The Japan Foundation because it is in line with the program in the Ministry of Education and Culture, namely IISMA.

He is optimistic that efforts to strengthen collaboration, accelerate the progress of education, culture, research and technology, for these two countries can be realized.

"For example, through programs to improve teacher competence, student exchange, joint research and development projects in various fields of culture," said Nadiem.

The meeting also discussed the process of extending the MoC script between the Ministry of Education and Culture, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology Japan.

In addition, we are currently exploring plans for repatriation of the skeleton of Japanese soldiers in Papua, which will begin in March 2023, namely cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Japan.