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UNAIR NEWS – ������ is heading towards excellent internationalization. This time, the Secretary of Internatonal Office and Partnership Margaretha, M.Sc, and faculty officials received six delegates of  ‘Alliances 4 Universities’ (A4U) from Spain. Being held in the Kahuripan plenary meeting room, both parties discussed about possible collaborations on research and academic mobility on Thursday June 16.

The six delegates from Spain were Marius Martinez (Vice Rector for the International Relations of the Autonomous University of Barcelona), Marta Vilalta (Director of the International Office of the Autonomous University of Barcelona), Irene Martin (Chancellor’s Delegate for the Internationalization of the Autonomous University of Madrid), Matilde Sanchez (Vice Rector for the International Relations of University Carlos III Madrid), Josep Ferrer (Vice Rector for the internationalization and the international relations of University Pompeu Fabra Barcelona), and Marc Payola (Coordinator of the Alliance 4 Universities).

The meeting was started with introductions of the delegates and faculties’ officials. Each delegate talked about their departments and programs, excellent research, student and staff exchange program and collaboration held with other parties.

From the discussion, UNAIR officials were enthusiastic with the academic mobility, which is a student exchange program from UNAIR to A4U and vice versa. The representative of Faculty of Law UNAIR Adhi Riady, LL.M, said that his department is interested in the academic mobility collaboration in a scheme of Erasmus Mundus. So was the representative of Faculty of Economic and Business UNAIR, Nisful Laila, S.E., M.Comm.

In response to the request, Ferrer said that his party is open to any academic mobility programs. “We’re pleased with academic mobility offers as we also have classes taught in English, there’s an academic mobility and double degree program. This is a good opportunity,” said the Vice Rector for the internationalization and the international relations of University Pompeu Fabra Barcelona.

Delegate from Autonomous University of Madrid, Irene, said that their visit to Indonesia was their first time. It was done to expand their international collaborations. “We think that there are many students who would like to come to Spain, but they do not have enough information as we do not really have any historical connections. And Indonesia is an interesting country to visit,” said Irene. “UNAIR is one of the best universities in Indonesia, that’s why we came here,” said Irene.

According to Irene, in the discussion held for an hour, both parties have found a lot of potentials for future collaborations, such as staff and student exchange, joint degree program, double degree program and researches. But her party wanted the programs held after both sign a Memorandum of Understanding between UNAIR and each university.

In research collaborations, Irene was interested in tropical disease researches. “As mention in the forum, UNAIR’s priority is tropical disease research. But we also have interests with other aspects, as A4U party also have good departments there,” said Irene. (*)

Author : Defrina Sukma S.
Editor    : Nuri Hermawan