MINISTER WACIK LAUNCHES STUDY CENTER OF BALINESE CULTURE

Denpasar, Bali , Feb. 28 (ANTARA) - Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik launched a Study Center of Balinese Culture at the University of Udayana here on Saturday.

"The Study Center of Balinese Culture is expected to help study and collect the existing and developing positive points in the Balinese culture," the Minister said.

Minister Wacik said that the Balinese culture has a lot of potential which could be further developed to help intensify the creativity in the local economy by empowering the local communities.

Meanwhile, I Made Bakta, the rector of Udayana University, said that the Study Center of Balinese Culture was a program initiated by the culture and tourism ministry in cooperation with the National Development Panning Board (Bappenas).

The study center was aimed at using the local cultural values in developing creative industry and economy of Bali Province.

"The Study Center of Balinese Culture is expected to issue study reports on Balinese culture and produce a creative cultural industry," he said.

Bali Island is rich in culture and tradition which are strongly influenced by Hinduism.

In Indonesia, there are only seven universities which have study centers of local cultures.