Knowledge mission to Indonesia
Last summer, Minister Dijkgraaf (Education, Culture and Science) led a knowledge mission to Indonesia. The aim: to strengthen collaboration and exchanges between the Netherlands and Indonesia in the fields of education, research and science. A delegation of directors of Dutch knowledge institutions and umbrella organisations travelled with Minister Dijkgraaf. They included Saxion representatives Anka Mulder (chairman of the Executive Board) and Janco Bonnink (Director of Education and Student Support).
International exchange of knowledge and talent
The knowledge mission focused on the importance of the international exchange of knowledge and talent between the Netherlands and Indonesia. “International collaboration in research and education is more important than ever,” says Minister Dijkgraaf. “Only together and by learning from each other can we meet global challenges such as pandemics and climate change. The Netherlands and Indonesia have a long and successful history of collaboration in education and research. But looking at the science and innovation agenda in Indonesia, there are many more opportunities to deepen that cooperation, for example through student exchanges and talent development.”
Strengthening relationships in Indonesia
Indonesia is in the top five most promising emerging markets in the world and is investing heavily in education and research exchanges in the coming years. It is therefore an important country for Saxion. In recent years, we have put a lot of effort into increasing the number of students from Indonesia and into collaborations on research, seminars and knowledge exchange with Indonesian partners. Our participation in the knowledge mission reaffirmed how important these collaborations are for us.
During the knowledge mission, we promoted Dutch higher education, and specifically Higher Vocational Education (HBO), in Indonesia and put it well on the map. We strengthened relationships with existing partners in Indonesia and made new contacts at various Indonesian knowledge institutions and in government.
Finally, we enjoyed a warm reunion with our Saxion alumni from Indonesia. Anka and Janco saw for themselves how our alumni have developed; a development to which Saxion has contributed. “The knowledge mission offered Saxion many opportunities for further collaboration with Indonesia in education and research,” Anka concludes. “And above all, it was great to see our alumni and partner universities again!”