"It is necessary for Indonesia to spearhead the formation of an Asean studies center because to date none of the universities in Asean countries has one," the ministry`s director general for Asean cooperation Djauhari Oratmangun said.
He said the existence of an Asean studies center would have a positive impact on the progress and the quality of the universities in Indonesia and other Asean countries.
"If a university has an Asean studies center, I think it will gain a lot of assistance," Oratmangun said, adding that the universities in Yogyakarta such as Gajah Mada University (UGM), Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN), and Sanata Dharma University (Sadar) had the ability to form Asean studies centers.
The idea for the universities to have an Asean studies center is because post graduate students had so far found it difficult to get data and information about Asean countries.
"Because of the absence of an Asean studies center, most of the students even go to Australia or the United States to get information about Asean countries," Oratmangun said.
He said in its position as Asean chairman, Indonesia was committed to realizing an Asean community in 2015.
(Uu.O001/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
