A total of 149 participants from diverse backgrounds in Russia are enrolled in the online BIPA program, spanning levels 1 to 6, running through the end of 2025.
In an official statement delivered in Jakarta on Wednesday, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti highlighted the strategic significance of promoting the Indonesian language globally.
He noted that Indonesian has been recognized as one of the official languages of the United Nations (UN) by the UNESCO General Assembly.
“Through the BIPA Program, we hope more foreign nationals will explore Indonesia through its language, benefiting our tourism, economy, culture, and diplomacy,” Mu’ti stated.
The minister also urged the public to embrace the "Trigatra Bangun Bahasa" philosophy—prioritizing the national language, preserving local languages, and mastering foreign languages.
He expressed optimism that BIPA would serve as a strategic platform to strengthen Indonesia–Russia relations, rooted in historical ties dating back to President Soekarno’s era.
“With Russian citizens learning Indonesian and vice versa, we can reinforce the foundation of friendship between our two countries, rich in history and culture,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Head of the Language Agency Hafidz Muksin underscored the BIPA Program as a critical government effort to internationalize the Indonesian language.
He noted that global interest in learning Indonesian has grown steadily, supported since 2015 by government-provided teachers and teaching materials.
As of June 2025, 2,213 teaching assignments have been implemented, benefiting over 200,000 participants across 772 BIPA institutions in 57 countries.
Muksin explained that the promotion of Indonesian as an international language is mandated by Law No. 24 of 2009 and reinforced by Government Regulation No. 57 of 2014.
“The BIPA Program now runs under three teacher assignment schemes: in-person Indonesian teachers, online Indonesian teachers, and locally-based teachers,” he added.
Between 2017 and 2020, the program supported several Russian institutions, including the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and Kazan Federal University.
Currently, seven BIPA teachers will conduct online classes at the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow from July 21 to December 31, 2025.
Indonesian Ambassador to the Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus, Jose Antonio Morato Tavares, commended the enthusiasm of Russian participants.
“I appreciate the students' passion. Learning Indonesian is a crucial first step toward deepening Indonesia–Russia ties,” Tavares said.
“Thank you to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Language Development and Fostering Agency, and all involved for their continued support. Together, we are building bridges of friendship between Indonesia and Russia,” he concluded.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari, Cindy Frishanti Octa
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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