Global university info network opens

SURABAYA (JP): The University of Surabaya (Ubaya) opened on Wednesday the international educational and cultural information network, the first of its kind in the country.

The grand launching hosted by Ubaya rector Anton Prijatno, was attended by U.S. ambassador to Indonesia Robert Gelbard, the British ambassador Richard Gozny and envoys from other participating countries, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and France.

According to Anton, the opening of the information system was based on the Indonesian people's willingness to enhance friendship and develop mutual understanding with people of different cultures.

"This concept opens access for the Surabaya people, the East Javanese and those living in the eastern part of the country to get valuable information about the international community through books, professional advice, counseling, Internet access and information on scholarships," Anton said.

The United States is represented by Educational Advising Service (EAS) of the American-Indonesian Exchange Foundation and American Studies Center, while Study in UK Information Center of the British Council represents Great Britain.

The Netherlands is represented by the Netherlands Education Center (NEC), Japan is represented by Study in Japan Information Center, whereas DAAD (Deutcher Akademischer Austauschdients) represents Germany and EduFrance-CCCL.

Representing the foreign envoys, U.S. ambassador Gelbard said he was happy with Ubaya's step to prepare for the era of education globalization.

Anton said that Canada and Australia would join the project in the second semester this year.

Ubaya now has 15,000 students in the schools of pharmacy, law, economics, psychology and technical studies. (nur/sur)