According to a written statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, Thursday, Sugiono made these remarks while receiving a courtesy call from the Irish Ambassador to Indonesia Padraig Francis on Wednesday (June 4).
During the meeting, Sugiono emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing vocational education, teacher training, and partnerships between higher education institutions.
He also encouraged Irish educational institutions to participate in the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education Agency (LPDP) scholarship scheme and highlighted the potential for Irish educational investment in Indonesia's Special Economic Zones (KEK), which continue to be developed as new centers of growth.
At the same time, Ambassador Francis also expressed Ireland's full support for the human resource capacity improvement agenda being intensified by Indonesia.
Ambassador Francis also welcomed the opportunity to expand collaboration between Indonesian and Irish educational institutions.
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Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Ireland have been established since September 4, 1984, and in 2014, Ireland opened its embassy in Jakarta.
In 2024, relations between the two countries achieved significant milestones, including a visa-free agreement for holders of diplomatic passports, the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism, and the establishment of the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia.
LPDP is a government institution under the Indonesian Finance Ministry that manages endowments for financing higher education.
The institution is responsible for the LPDP scholarship program, which provides scholarships for Master's and Doctoral studies at various leading universities, both domestically and abroad.
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Reporter: Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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