To promote educational exchange between China and the ASEAN countries and commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xia Jianhui, deputy director of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE), led a delegation from 21 Chinese universities on a visit to Indonesia from Oct 16 to 23. They participated in the 17th China Education Exhibition before traveling to Thailand to attend the OCSC International Education Expo 2023.
The delegation represented several universities, specialized institutions, Sino-foreign cooperative programs and research institutes affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, providing a comprehensive representation of China's high-quality education resources.
Additionally, during the OCSC expo in Thailand, the Education and Youth Development Bureau of Macao organized seven Macao universities, including the University of Macau, to participate as part of the delegation.
On Oct 17, the CSCSE, in collaboration with Ticket Station, hosted the 17th China Education Exhibition in Indonesia. The exhibition attracted more than 2,000 Indonesian students and parents who came to visit and inquire about various educational opportunities.
During the education exhibition, M. Lukmanul Hakim from the Indonesian Department of Finance's Education Fund Management Agency provided information about the Indonesian government's national scholarship programs, emphasizing their commitment to support Indonesian students studying in China.
The 10th Indonesian Students Chinese Debate Competition was held at the same time, with participants from various Indonesian universities and high schools.
The delegation also visited Universitas Pelita Harapan High School and the Bandung Institute of Technology. The arrival of the delegation generated a heated response from students, who flocked to the meeting to seek advice.
During their visit to the Bandung Institute of Technology, Ir Jaka Sembiring, vice-president of the university, along with officials from the cooperation department, international relations department and several academic departments, warmly received the delegation. Both sides engaged in comprehensive discussions on student exchanges, scientific research and innovation, and inter-institutional cooperation projects, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.
Furthermore, the delegation met with Chinese university alumni in Bandung, organized by the Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China of Indonesian West Java Province. Over 70 Chinese university alumni attended, strengthening the bond between Chinese alumni in Indonesia and fostering closer ties with China.
From Oct 21 to 22, the delegation participated in the OCSC International Education Expo 2023 in Bangkok. The expo featured a total of 319 institutions and organizations from 25 countries and regions.
The event attracted about 15,000 students and parents over two days. The Chinese exhibition area garnered significant attention, with many Thai students inquiring about studying in China, highlighting the appeal of China's international education.
Piyawat Sivaraks, secretary-general of Thailand's Office of Civil Service Commission (OCSC), attended the opening ceremony and visited the Chinese exhibition area.
Feng Junying, education counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, also visited the expo to learn about studying in China and cooperation between Chinese and Thai institutions.
With robust backing from the Chinese embassies in Indonesia and Thailand, the Indonesian Department of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, and the OCSC, the "Study in China" education expos and visits in Indonesia and Thailand have advanced educational exchanges and cooperation between China and Indonesia, as well as between China and Thailand. The events have further enhanced the international influence of the "Study in China" brand.
