By Mimi Pio, Popondetta
The Indonesian Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Adriana Supandy, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE), Popondetta Campus recently.
The agreement opens new educational pathways for students at UNRE to enhance them to pursue further studies in Indonesia.
The opportunity will allow students from UNRE Popondetta and other two tertiary institutions who have signed the same agreement to further their studies in Indonesia.
Supandy said the first phase of the program will introduce ‘Bahasa’ Indonesian language course to be offered separately at UNRE Popondetta Campus, set to commence next month.
He explained that as the ambassador it is his ambition to strengthen the progression of Nation of PNG and Indonesia as imediate neighbours.
“This language training is purposely to help students prepare for academic programs in Indonesia, particularly in the field of agriculture, and will support their career development in the sector”, he said.
Education Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy Arief Kusdwi Adnanto, added that scholarships for further study in Indonesia will be fully funded by the Indonesian government.
Director of UNRE Popondetta Campus Professor Hundo Hundang, welcomed the initiative and praised the Ambassador’s visit to the institution.
“This is a great opportunity for our students and even our lecturers to broaden their academic and professional pathways,” she said.
UNRE Popondetta Campus now joins two other tertiary institutions in PNG that have signed similar agreements with the Indonesian Embassy, reinforcing bilateral cooperation in education, and capacity-building.
