On Thursday, March 19, 2024, the Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) held a significant online meeting with the Education and Cultural Attaché (ATIKBUD) Dili, Prof. Ikhfan Haris, from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Dili. The meeting was convened to strengthen cooperation in the field of education between Indonesia and Timor Leste. As a result, a crucial agreement was reached to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UPI and the schools attended by students pursuing their Master’s degree in Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA).
This concrete step was taken considering the limitations faced by KBRI and ATIKBUD Dili in signing a Letter of Agreement (LoA). Instead, the MoU will serve as an instrument to facilitate collaboration between UPI and schools in Timor Leste attended by S2 BIPA students. Prior to this, official requests for data regarding the names of schools and school principals, as well as the MoU template, were sent to ATIKBUD Dili, signaling a strong commitment from both parties to continue this collaboration with measured and transparent steps.
Both parties hope that this MoU will serve as a solid foundation for expanding the reach of Indonesian language education in Timor Leste, as well as strengthening cultural ties and cooperation between the two nations. With this concrete step, it is hoped that educational cooperation between UPI and Timor Leste will continue to flourish and provide tangible benefits to both countries.