Indonesia, Belarus discuss strengthening human development cooperation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The governments of Indonesia and Belarus have moved to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in human resource development, expressing mutual interest in strengthening partnerships in higher education, science, and technology.

In a statement cited here on Thursday, Indonesian Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto emphasized his ministry’s readiness to engage in further discussions with the Belarusian Ministry of Education.

"I appreciate Belarus' keenness to cooperate with us in this matter, and I am convinced that Indonesia’s relations with Belarus will grow stronger and endure for years to come," he remarked while hosting Belarusian Ambassador to Indonesia, Raman Ramanouski, in Jakarta on Tuesday (April 15).

Yuliarto highlighted that under President Prabowo Subianto’s directive, the Indonesian government is prioritizing efforts to improve human resource quality, including by enhancing connections between the education sector and industries.

"We are focused on enhancing the quality of higher education institutions, guiding them to contribute more to human resource development, conduct impactful research, and intensify collaboration with industries," he remarked.

The minister also highlighted to the ambassador that this approach is essential for Indonesia to meet key national objectives, including boosting economic growth, strengthening food security, adopting renewable energy, securing clean water access, advancing downstream industries, upgrading defense technologies, and fostering the development of a semiconductor industry.

Ambassador Ramanouski, for his part, stated that the Belarusian Ministry of Education is eager to work closer with Indonesia, especially following the arrival of Indonesian students in Belarus under the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards program last year.

Highlighting Belarus' strengths in science and technology, the ambassador affirmed that his country is well-positioned to assist Indonesia in advancing its national priority programs.

He also expressed interest in establishing cooperation in the field of information technology.