Malang, East Java (Antara) - Some 12 foreign diplomats are currently studying the language and culture of Indonesia at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) in Malang, East Java, for a month.
UMM spokesman Arif Budi Wurianto remarked here on Thursday that apart from studying the Indonesian language and culture, the foreign diplomats will also have the opportunity to visit numerous tourist destinations in East Java.
According to Wurianto, the foreign diplomats are from South Africa, Fiji, Iran, Japan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Columbia, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
The foreign diplomats start the program on Indonesian language and culture at the UMM on August 3-31, 2017. After returning to their respective countries, they are expected to promote Indonesia's culture and tourism.
"After studying at UMM, the foreign diplomats are expected to promote the Indonesian culture and tourism in their respective countries," Wurianto remarked.
He noted that after clearing a series of rigorous selection tests, conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Training and Education Board, the UMM has been tasked with training these foreign diplomats.
"The UMM passed the selection process since it is considered to offer several advantages, including the availability of supporting facilities, qualified teaching staff, as well as a standardized syllabus," Wurianto explained.
In the meantime, UMM Rector Fauzan said the learning program for foreign diplomats will serve as an important instrument since a diplomat must have the ability to conduct diplomacy and share cultural experiences in the country where he or she is assigned.
"The introduction of culture and language to foreign diplomats is very important, as they will later promote them in the country they are assigned," Fauzan noted.(*)
