Zubair Qureshi
The top universities of Indonesia welcome the Pakistani students in various disciplines as they excel in education and win laurels not only for their families, country but also for their alma maters.
Currently, Pakistan is the recipient of the highest number of Indonesia’s academic scholarships in various categories and the keen interest of applicants from Pakistan in continuing their higher studies at the Indonesian educational institutions speaks volumes about growing bilateral academic linkages and spirit of friendship between Indonesia and Pakistan.
These views were expressed by Ambassador of Indonesia, Adam Tugio at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Indonesian Corner’ at the National Book Foundation (NBF). The corner has been set up with a view to promoting Indonesian literature, culture and history through the Indonesian books (translated into English and Urdu). The corner is in fact a small, well-lit, cozy hall with chairs, sofas and bookshelves boasting of the famous Pakistani and the Indonesian titles. It is designed and developed by the Embassy of Indonesia and according to the Managing Director (MD) of the NBF, Dr Raja Mazhar Hameed, it will serve as a centre of research and studies about the Indonesian literature, culture and history.
The ambassador expressed gratitude to the MD of the NBF for providing the space for the Indonesian corner and hoped for those who couldn’t visit the Embassy the Indonesian corner would serve as a source of information about the country. “We shall request to put the updated information about the Indonesian educational scholarships on a notice board in this corner so that students, youths wishing to study in Indonesia could benefit,” said the ambassador. Ambassador Tugio who is completing his diplomatic term in Pakistan termed Pakistan a close friendly country with so many commonalities—religion, values, traditions, culture and cuisine. This bond is further strengthened in education and trade. He said the bilateral trade volume between the two countries was over US$4.5 billion but as compared with ASEAN trade cooperation there was a huge scope for further increase.
Earlier, in his welcome address MD of the NBF, Dr Raja Mazhar Hameed noted with pleasure that the Indonesian corner was being set up to introduce Indonesia to the Pakistani readers. Ambassador Tugio is a dynamic person and has a vision to further expand the bilateral relations. The NBF has already started work on an Indonesia’s children’s book which will be translated and published soon for the Pakistani students, he said.
Dr Raja Mazhar while briefing the audience about the NBF said the book foundation’s books were being taught at Prep-XII levels in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) schools, the PAF and the Navy. NBF’s books are also being taught in GB and soon we shall be offering them in the AJK schools, he said. One singular achievement of the NBF is preparation of school books for the children challenged by Dyslexia. These courses have been prepared in consultation with the CEO of the Institute of Dyslexia Education & Attitudinal Sciences (IDEAS), Irum Mumtaz. She has been a source of inspiration and the NBF highly values her support, he said.
At the end, Raja Mazhar said, “Ambassador, you are leaving for Jakarta on your next assignment later this month, we wish you a happy and successful life ahead. We shall miss a true and sincere friend of Pakistan.” Later, souvenirs were presented to the Ambassador by the NBF chief.
