Elevating Education: ITB Rector Explores Collaborative Ventures with Osaka University for Quality Enhancement and Joint Research Development
By Anggun Nindita
Editor Anggun Nindita
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah, Ph.D., the Rector of Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), accompanied by University Secretary Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ir. Widjaja Martokusumo, undertook a visit to Japan from September 28th to October 8th, 2023. Among their notable agenda items, they visited Osaka University on Friday, October 6, 2023, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in education quality improvement and joint research development.
Highlighting the significance of international partnerships in advancing sciences and making a positive global impact, Prof. Widjaja mentioned that Osaka University and ITB have established various international collaborations. A week before the visit, Osaka University representatives met with Mr. Suprijadi, the Vice Dean of the Graduate School at ITB, to initiate collaborations across multiple fields, including bio-medicine and bio-science.
The warm welcome extended to ITB representatives by Osaka University included discussions with Tanaka Manabu, the Executive Vice President of Global Engagement, Facilities, and Expo, and Yamamoto Beverley Anne, the Executive Vice President of International Affairs (Education). The talks centered around global engagement, where Osaka University introduced its new project, the "sider project," serving as a hub for infectious diseases.
Collaboration between the two institutions expands into various domains, encompassing not only bio-science and bio-medicine but also technology and humanities. The agenda also includes strengthening academic collaboration through joint inbound and outbound programs. This initiative is driven by the need to balance the distribution of foreign students, with Osaka University having a higher number of students staying in Japan, while ITB has fewer foreign students but a significant number pursuing opportunities abroad.
FProf. Widjaja highlighted the positive response from the rectors of both ITB and Osaka University to the idea of promoting more outbound programs for students. He also mentioned the possibility of joint research between the two institutions, noting that there are ITB alumni who have continued their studies and become research associates at Osaka University.
Through these collaborations, Prof. Widjaja aims to expand ITB's international network, providing academics with a broader perspective on global problems and preparing human resources to play a more integrated role in a global context.
Reporter: Anggun Nindita
Translator: Hanifa Juliana (Urban and Regional Planning, 2020)
Editor: Vera Citra Utami
