Call for universities to attract African students

Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has urged universities to attract students from African countries to pursue their education in Indonesia, reports Antara News.

"This can strengthen the relations between Indonesia and Africa," Director for Africa from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Larso Simbolon, said at a workshop last week. According to Larso, Indonesia’s universities should consider African countries as part of the effort to internationalise Indonesian higher education.

Of the total 909 foreign students studying in Indonesia, 262 came from 32 countries in Africa. "The number of African students is still small," he said, adding that if more students from Africa started pursuing higher education in Indonesia, the country’s diplomatic relations with Africa would be more harmonious. "Moreover, Africa has the potential to grow in terms of economy and also has natural resources," he said.
Full report on the Antara News site