UNS — The Municipal Government (Pemkot) of Chengdu, China, recently wanted to explore cooperation with the Municipal Government (Pemkot) of Solo especially related to technology in the fields of food, agriculture, and industry. This was conveyed by the Rector of Xihua University Chengdu, Prof. LIU Shugen during a visit to the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Monday (13/3/2023). This plan was motivated by the good relations and cooperation that have existed for the last 4 years between UNS and Xihua University.

UNS, which is located in Central Java Province, is known to be immensely dense with Javanese customs and culture. Various parties continue to strive to maintain and preserve it. Xihua University has no reason to choose UNS as its partner. “According to the history that I have read, the culture of Sichuan-a province in China-and Javanese culture have been communicating for a long time. That’s why we started to enter again to work together, related to Javanese and Sichuan culture,” Prof. LIU said.

Exploration of cooperation between UNS and Xihua University began in 2018. Then in 2019 it was continued with the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). However, due to Covid-19, the offline cooperation between the two universities was temporarily suspended. However, the UNS Board of Commissioners and Xihua University still hold regular meetings. In addition, cooperation in terms of education and online activities continues.

To strengthen cooperation, according to Prof. LIU, his party and UNS agreed on an exchange of lecturers and students in the double degree program. “Starting next year, students who have spent 4 semesters at UNS will have the opportunity to take part in the 2+2 program. Xihua University will accept 20 students to study there. Get free tuition and boarding fees, as well as pocket money every month. All will be borne by Xihua University “, he continued.

It will be vice versa. Xihua University will also send 20 people including lecturers and students to study at UNS. Apart from academics, they will also learn about art, culture and language. “With that, I hope that the 2 countries China and Indonesia can directly communicate and experience each other’s culture. Indonesian students and lecturers experience Chinese culture directly. Likewise Chinese students and lecturers can directly experience Indonesian culture,” Prof. LIU concluded. Humas UNS

Reporter: Dinda N. Ardilla

Editor: Dwi Hastuti

Translator: Mifta Muriska