United Kingdom Ambassador Moazzam Malik (left) while leading a discussion with the Chancellor of ITS Prof. Mochamad Ashari

ITS Campus, ITS News – At the end of his tenure as United Kingdom Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Moazzam Malik took the time to visit the campus of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Thursday (6/13). His fourth visit to ITS was welcomed by the ITS Chancellor Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari M Eng

Moazzam revealed that he had met with the ITS Chancellor in the previous period namely Prof Ir Joni Hermana MScES PhD several times. He also remembers the first time he visited ITS in December 2014 ago. “I also had the opportunity to go to Surabaya and take a campus tour on a pedicab,” he recalled, which was greeted by a small laugh from the attendees.

Soon, Moazzam will end his duties as ambassador. However, he continued, this was the first time he met Prof Mochamad Ashari as the highest person in ITS. “I am happy to have this valuable opportunity again to visit one of the best universities in Indonesia with all its development,” said the man born in London, 52 years ago.

Moazzam continued, United Kingdom was very open to collaborating with Indonesia. Primarily to invite students to study at world-class universities in the UK. “Most of them now are the students who get scholarships from the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP),” he said.

The atmosphere of discussion between the UK Embassy and leaders at ITS, (Left to Right) Elijas Pudjianto President Director of PT Jasatama Petroindo, UK Ambassador Moazzam Malik, ITS Chancellor Prof Mochamad Ashari, and ITS Vice Chancellor I (WR I) Prof Adi Soeprijanto

Indonesia, added the graduate of the University of Oxford, has the potential to continue to grow. “But of course it needs to be encouraged by various innovations by its human resources, one of which is by cooperating with each other,” Moazzam reminded.

For example, he said, in the near future leaders in East Java including Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa planned to travel to England. “Because Surabaya itself has a sister city in England, namely Liverpool,” he said.

United Kingdom Ambassador with ITS Chancellor

The collaboration that will be established will be very various, ranging from community services, research, cultural arts, economics, to academics. “With this collaboration, it is hoped that there will be a lot of cooperation from various sectors, especially education,” hoped the man who was fluent in Indonesian.

Representing ITS, Prof Mochamad Ashari said that he was happy to receive a courtesy visit from the United Kingdom Ambassador to Indonesia. ITS itself has had good cooperation with the UK, although not as much as the countries in Southeast Asia. ITS, said the chancellor who is often called Ashari, has sent several students to the United Kingdom through programs such as Erasmus+ in several universities including Cardiff Metropolitan University, Coventry University, University of Oxford, and others.

The Chancellor of ITS Prof. Mochamad Ashari (right) gave a souvenir to the United Kingdom Ambassador, Moazzam Malik

This year, explained Ashari, ITS began to open a number of international classes which starting in the fourth-semester students will study at one of the university’s overseas partners. “It is expected that there will be many positive things that can be taken from various collaborations that are being or will be encouraged later,” said the professor of Electrical Engineering.

Give Scholarships to ITS Students

Meanwhile, President Director of PT Jasatama Petroindo (PT JP) Elijas Pudjianto who also attended the visit to ITS gave his appreciation to ITS students. Especially for 15 students of the Chemical Engineering Department who managed to get a scholarship from PT JP. In total, since 2016 PT JP has provided scholarships to 30 students with outstanding academic achievements.

According to Elijas, his nickname, the practice of English is very important today. Because, confidence comes from constant practice. “Because English language skills are important to establish cooperation, especially if you want to continue your studies in UK,” he said. (Owi/herdiana/ITS PR)

The UK Ambassador along with the ITS Chancellor and his staff took a photo together shortly after the meeting