RI-Chinese Defense Universities Step Up Coop

Beijing, Sept 18 (Antara) - The defense universities of Indonesia and China have agreed to step up cooperation by launching exchange programs for lecturers and sending Indonesian students to China, according to Indonesia`s defense university`s assistant rector Maj. Gen. I Wayan Medio. "We agreed to exchange lecturers. We will also send students to pursue further education at the Chinese University of Defense on defense economy, management and disaster handling," Wayan said on the sidelines of Indonesia`s 68th independence anniversary celebration here on Tuesday night. Wayan, who is the third assistant rector, pointed out that Indonesia had so far only exchanged cadets and dispatched students to China for a certain study program. He further stated that China was now the world`s second biggest economic power. "We want to experience it first hand by sending a number of students to study defense economy beginning next year." Besides, China has the topography and geographical locations, which are prone to various disasters, such as floods, landslides and earthquakes. "In this case, China has displayed preparedness and alertness while facing and handling various natural disasters. Therefore, we will send students to study disaster management in China, and in Japan, which also has natural disasters similar to those taking place in Indonesia," he said. With regards to expanding cooperation with the Chinese Defense University, the Indonesian Defense University will also sign an agreement with the Tshinghua University for Indonesian students wanting to study public policy, defense economy and disaster management. It also plans to sign an agreement with the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and the Norwich University of the United States. "The aim of cooperation with a number of universities at home and abroad is to enrich the study programs of the Indonesian Defense University, while giving a chance to lecturers and students to widen their horizons," Wayan noted. At present, 14 students from the Indonesian Defense University are studying defense economy and natural disaster management programs in China.