Category Archives: Review

APU Students Participate in Economic Talk

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APU Students Participate in G4 “Economic Talk” Symposium in Tokyo:
2010/5/6 10:46:47 (1283 reads)

n March 22-27, 2010, three APU international students participated in the Iuventum G4 Economic Talk symposium in Tokyo. APU Students Arisyi Fariza Raz (APM4, Indonesia), Tamarind Puri Khiranti Indra (APM4, Indonesia) and Iqra Anugrah (APS3, Indonesia) participated in the 6 day program and discussed a range of global issues and from the youth perspective with other students from universities in the G4 nations of China, Japan, the USA and Germany.

Dealing with various economic-related topics, such as globalization, regionalism and health issues, the APU students showed their skills in the panel discussion sessions, working alongside other participants from prestigious universities around Japan and abroad such as Tokyo University and Waseda University.

During the conference, the participants also had the opportunity to hear from representatives of the automobile industry including Toyota and Volkswagen who spoke of their efforts to reduce Co2 emissions and the introduction of environmentally friendly technology in response to global warming. At the end of the conference, a joint communiqué was presented by the participants and included policy recommendations for predicted challenges in the year 2020.

Looking back on the talks, Iqra Anugrah (APS3, Indonesia) commented, “The conference was so exciting and I learnt many new things. I particularly enjoyed discussing and exchanging ideas on recent global economic issues with so many students from many of the outstanding universities in Japan.”

Supporters of this event include the G8 Youth Summit Japan, the German-Japanese Youth Society and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies.

Reporter, Student Press Assistant (SPA): Raz Arisyi Fariza (APM3, Indonesia)

News : APU Students and RCAPS conduct the “Seminar of Indonesia”

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News : APU Students and RCAPS conduct the “Seminar of Indonesia”:
2010/2/19 14:20:20 (731 reads)

n Saturday, February 6, 2010, the “Seminar of Indonesia” RCAPS* Seminar was held under the theme “Observing Today’s Indonesia, a Projection into The Future”. Organized primarily by APU students, this seminar invited prominent scholars of Indonesian studies to engage in a panel discussion on the future of Indonesia including Professor at the Waseda University Faculty of International Liberal Studies, Director of the Clinical Education and Science Research Institute, Dr. Ken Kawan Soetanto.

This seminar was organized by the APU Indonesian Society (APU Ina) in collaboration with the Indonesian Student Association in Japan (PPIJ) and RCAPS.

Former APU president, Professor Monte CASSIM opened the proceedings as he shared his experiences of working in Indonesia with the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).

Following the opening address, holder of four PhDs from prominent Japanese universities Dr. Soetanto then inspired the audience with a passionate keynote speech under the title “Because Of You The World is Difference” which focused on the importance of education in Indonesia’s future development. Dr. Soetanto then gave the audience a few words of advice, “Never forget to set yourself goals and remember that our combined efforts can change Indonesia for the better”.

The seminar then continued with a panel discussion by Associate Professor at the Kyoto University Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Masaaki OKAMOTO and Kyushu International University Associate Professor Satomi OGATA. The lively discussion looked at a range of issues such as the balance of power in Indonesian politics and the empowerment of females in Islamic Indonesia.

Looking back on the event, seminar organisation team representative Iqra Anugrah (APS3, Indonesia) said,”We were glad to see so many students, faculty members and other elements of the APU community from Indonesia and around the world actively participate in this seminar. We hope that this kind of event serves as a stepping stone toward further student-initiated academic activities at APU.”

*The Ritsumeikan Center for Asia Pacific Studies (RCAPS) was established in July 1996 with a mission to promote and foster research into the multifaceted developments and challenges that face the Asia Pacific region in the 21st Century. RCAPS seminars are held regularly at which lecturers from both on and off-campus are invited to share research findings in the field of Asia Pacific Studies.

Reporter, Student Press Assistant, Virgi Agita Sari (APM3, Indonesia)

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News : Grand Performance wraps-up Indonesian Week with a Blast

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rom June 29 to July 3, 2009, Indonesian Week, the third installment to the AY2009 Spring Semester Multicultural Weeks, was held. Indonesian culture was introduced through a range of events such as Indonesian film showings, traditional handicrafts and folk costume displays.

On the evening of Friday, July 3 2009, the Indonesian Week Grand Performance marked the end of Indonesian Week. It was held at APU Millennium Hall. People wishing to secure a seat formed a long queue in front of Millennium Hall that eventually reached the AP House pedestrian bridge.

Nevertheless, the 2-hour performance turned out to be well worth while queuing for, as the audience enjoyed a range of Indonesian singing, bands, dances and fashion shows, which were creatively interwoven into a flash-back story of a grandmother reminiscing her youth. The concept of Indonesian Week 2009 was different from previous Indonesian Weeks, and came about not only through the hard work of the core Indonesian Week Executive Committee, but also by the enthusiasm of all students who shared in the vision to make it a success.

After the performance there was a short encore performance of “Dangdut” in front of the Millennium Hall as a bonus for the audience, and everyone joined in to dance to the music.

The leader of Indonesian Week, Iqra Anugrah (APS2, Indonesia), commented, “Being one of the organizers for Indonesian Week was really an unforgettable experience. I faced a lot of challenges and difficulties during this whole process, but on the other hand I also found many people who were willing to help us and that is why we could succeed. It is really satisfying when I see how this event has met people’s expectations”.

Indonesian Week was an opportunity for Indonesia to be showcased around the campus and for non-Indonesians to become more familiar with Indonesian culture.

*Multicultural Week is sponsored by the Nakajima Foundation

Reporter, Student Press Assistant (SPA): NUGROHO Katarina Marsha Utama(APM3, Indonesia)

http://www.apu.ac.jp/home/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1312

Multiculturalism in APU: The Future of the World

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Multiculturalism in APU: The Future of the World*

By Iqra Anugrah, APS 2

Congratulations on your entrance on APU! Hope that this small university located on the top of the mountain in Beppu will be your home far away from home.

There are a lot of good universities worldwide, with established reputations, great academic qualities, excellent performances and strong networks and links with other institutions, but why you end up in the middle of nowhere in provincial Japan? Probably the best reason behind your decision is the attractiveness of multiculturalism in APU.

This new university is founded on the fundamental principles of freedom, peace and mutual understanding. Why these three values and ideas have become the soul of university? It is simply because those three are the basic human natures that will drive our society towards a better direction. The first principle of freedom guarantees freedom of thoughts, speech and exchanging ideas, which will lead to the advancement of knowledge and thinking about our society and current situations within the academic environment. The second principle of peace is the prerequisite goal of freedom. Peace cannot be achieved without freedom, and freedom loses its essence in absence of peace. The last principle of mutual understanding is the framework for this whole concept. Free exchange of ideas toward perpetual peace can only be achieved in the environment which embraces the value of tolerance, pluralism and multiculturalism.

This is why APU is founded. By gathering domestic students and international students from more than 80 countries at the same time and same place, an epic society based on the values of freedom, peace and mutual understanding can be achieved. Perhaps we may not see the result immediately, but if we imagine in the next 5, 10, 50 or 100 years, it is also not impossible. Our society will be driven by the dynamic, young, talented and skillful human resources with high degree of open mindedness and tolerance to other cultures, which will lead to a peaceful and prosperous world, a world with trade and growth instead of war.

By entering APU, you will see multiculturalism in every sphere of your life-when you are enjoying AP House, attending lecture classes, doing circle activities or even in daily lives. Yes, this is a newly established university, but it does not mean it has nothing to support your future and dreams. You can be a part of change for world’s future, by defining and shaping university culture based on the framework of multiculturalism. This highly multicultural environment will offer you infinite opportunities, from art performances and traditional festivals to academic seminars and international conferences, so do not waste your time here at APU, but make it the best of your life. Friendship and knowledge that you will get at APU will be beneficial for the society beyond Asia Pacific.

So, welcome to APU. This is not the end of your achievement, but rather, this is the beginning of your future pathway. Let us enjoy our time during learning in APU, let us nurture our friendship, expand our networks, advance our knowledge and broaden our horizon. This is an investment for our future, which will reap fruit of a free and peaceful world with mutual understanding. Let us optimize this rare opportunity. Live APU life the most!

*Published at The APU Times Vol. XI April 2009, an independent student newspaper of APU

Press Release: 17th ISM-IJFF 2008: Today’s Researcher, Tomorrow’s Leader

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Tokyo, 25-26 August 2008

Rainy summer of Japan did not hinder Indonesian students around Japan to gather and present their academic works in the 17th Indonesian Students’ Scientific Meeting and Indonesia-Japan Friendship Forum (ISM-IJFF) 2008 at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), organized by Indonesian Student Association in Japan (PPI) chapter Kanto in-cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Japan (KBRI). More than a hundred research abstracts had been submitted, with various topics start from applied sciences, life sciences, medical sciences, natural sciences, to social sciences.

On the first day of the ISM, numerous activities were arranged, start from dozens of presentations of research projects from fellow Indonesian students and researchers around Japan, and lectures from professors, professionals, and government officials both from Japan and Indonesia. The 17th ISM started with opening ceremony marked by report from the Chairperson of ISM-IJFF 2008, Muhammad Sahlan, and speech from the Chairperson of PPI, Deddy Nur Zaman, President of TUAT, Prof. Hidefumi Kobatake, and Indonesian Ambassador, Dr. Jusuf Anwar. The program continued with IJFF. In this session, Dr. Edison Munaf, attaché of education of KBRI, gave a presentation about education system in Indonesia. This year, in commemoration of 50 years of golden friendship between Indonesia and Japan, various cooperations especially in academic fields are also established. As the manifestation of IJFF, TUAT as one of universities in Japan which focuses on agriculture and technology and University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), one of leading universities in Indonesia, established a MoU to strengthen academic and research cooperation between two universities. TUAT side was represented by Prof. Hidefumi Kobatake, while UGM were represented by Prof. Retno. S. Soedibyo, vice president of research of UGM, who also gave presentation about UGM’s profile.

After lunch, the second session of IJF resumed with lectures about Indonesia-Japan relationship from former Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Sumio Edamura and Indonesian Ambassador Dr. Jusuf Anwar. Ambassador Sumio Edamura delivered a lecture about the comparison and similarities between Indonesian and Japanese language and culture, While Ambassador Jusuf Anwar emphasized more on political and economic relationship, especially after the signing of EPA.

At the night, first day of ISM was closed by general meeting of PPI and workshop from Association of Indonesian Alumni from Japan (PERSADA).

Second day of the ISM discussed another important issue which has drawn many attentions from global community, including Indonesia and Japan, energy availability. Two forum sessions titled “Indonesian Biomass for Energy Alternative” discussed current issues about energy from Indonesian and Japanese perspectives. These two sessions were moderated by Prof. Wuled Lenggoro from TUAT. In first forum session, Dr. Unggul Prayitno from Board of Research and Application of Technology (BPPT),

Mr. Yoshinori Satake from METI, and Prof. Masayuki Horio from Waseda University gave lectures about current energy condition in Indonesia and Japan and the need of new perspectives to tackle this issue. Second forum session resumed with lectures from Dr. Arif Yudiarto from BPPT, Mr. Issei Sawa from Mitsubishi, and Mr. Pria Indira from Indonesian state oil and gas company (Pertamina), which discussed about current policies for energy alternative and also strategies for future, both from government and industry perspectives.

Finally the 17th ISM-IJFF ’08 was closed by Prof. Wuled Lenggoro with great applause from the audiences. He expressed his appreciation for this event and hoped that ISM will be a sustainable forum for Indonesian students and researchers in Japan to present, share, and exchange their ideas for Indonesia’s development. Will the next ISM repeat this success? We’ll see later!

(Iqra Anugrah, 2nd Year student of College of Asia Pacific Studies Ritsumeikan APU)