06 October 2009

A Visit to IPC by the Indonesian Ambassador

Education Collaboration between Indonesia and New Zealand

By Shirley Ghozalli. Edited by Moira Blake.

IPC President Prof Wayne Edwards (left) and His Excellency Ambassador Amris Hassan exchanging gifts

His Excellency Ambassador Amris Hassan with IPC President and staff members

On Tuesday, 29th September, IPC had the privilege of a visit by the Indonesian Ambassador, His Excellency Ambassador Amris Hassan. The Ambassador had come to Palmerston North to welcome 20 Indonesian university lecturers who are here on scholarships from Indonesian provincial governments and the Indonesian Ministry of Education to take a short course at Massey University.

An informal morning tea was held at IPC for the Ambassador to meet with IPC President Prof. Wayne Edwards, IPC Director of College Services Ichizo Murakami, Senior Student Support Advisor Hiro Tsumakura, Faculty Deans, student representatives, and several other staff members.

On this occasion, the Ambassador met a representative of the Indonesian students and also an Indonesian staff member. His Excellency was pleased to know that the number of Indonesian students studying at IPC has increased since last year.

During his conversation with IPC President, the Ambassador spoke of further Indonesian students coming to New Zealand to study. More students from Indonesia are expected to arrive, starting from September, due to the new 'Education at Work' program by the Indonesian Ministry of Education. The program, as outlined by the Ambassador, offers scholarships to civil servants who otherwise might not have the opportunity to study abroad. This means that it would be the perfect time for IPC, with its unique educational environment, to provide additional short courses and courses tailored to specific groups.

At the end of the morning tea, the Ambassador and the IPC President exchanged gifts as a token of appreciation and respect of their two countries' mutual friendship. The Ambassador hoped that the number of Indonesian students at IPC would have grown more by his next visit. A tour around IPC campus followed at the end of the visit.

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