Japanese Consul-General in Surabaya Explores Collaboration Opportunities with Universitas Jember (Unej)

Jember, East Java — The Consulate-General of Japan in Surabaya is exploring opportunities for cooperation in education and culture with Universitas Jember (Unej). Consul-General Takonai Susumu and his delegation visited Unej on Wednesday and were received by Rector Iwan Taruna in his office.

In a warm meeting, they discussed strengthening diplomatic, educational, and cultural ties between the two countries that have long been intertwined, said Rector Iwan Taruna.

Takonai, who has a deep personal affinity with Indonesia since 1990 and is fluent in Indonesian, emphasised the importance of optimising the alumni network of Japanese universities in Indonesia as a major strength and as a robust diplomatic bridge.

We also discussed various concrete collaboration opportunities including increasing cross-border student exchange programs, the placement of Indonesian nurses in Japan as a solution to Japan’s demographic challenges, he added.

Meanwhile, the Consul-General of Japan in Surabaya, Takonai Susumu, said they plan to develop a ‘Japan Corner’ in libraries of Indonesian universities, which could be developed at Unej. The information centre will be digitally optimised as a connector of scholarships, culture, and job vacancies for all members of the Unej academic community, he said.

After completing the strategic meeting in the Rector’s Office, the Konjen’s programme continued with a visiting lecture themed “Discipline, Innovation and Excellence: Insight From Japan’s Human Development Model” held in the FISIP Unej Auditorium.