Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta was once again trusted by a foreign government to develop academical cooperation. This time, the government of Taiwan trusts UMY to develop cooperation through Taiwan Education Center (TEC), an initiative of Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO), Taiwan Education Center (TEC) Indonesia, and several universities in Taiwan. TEC UMY opened on Tuesday (25/7) in the fifth floor of AR Fakhruddin A building, UMY Central Campus.

The opening of Taiwan Education Center in UMY is meant to strengthen cooperation between UMY and the Taiwan Government, especially with TETO and TEC Indonesia, as well as the Taiwanese universities. In addition, it serves as an information and support center for UMY students who want to continue its studies to Taiwan or participate in student exchange programs.

The TEC UMY opening event was attended by mr. Jhon Chen as the Taiwan Ambassador for Indonesia, ms. Grace Ou as the Deputy Representative of TETO, Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, MP as the rector of UMY, Prof. Dr. Achmad Nurmandi, M.Sc as the vice-rector of cooperation and international affairs, as well as Yordan Gunawan as the head of UMY’s Cooperation and International Affairs Bureau, in addition to invited lecturers and students of UMY. The TEC office itself is located in KH. Mas Mansyur building of UMY’s Central Campus.

Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, MP clarified that the cooperation between UMY and TETO started in 2004, which marks its 15th anniversary in 2019. “The presence of TEC in UMY as an official body of cooperation with the Taiwan Government will serve as a source of educational information regarding Taiwan for lecturers, students, or applicants who intend to continue their studies to Taiwan,” Gunawan stated.

Hal senada juga disampaikan Mr. Jhon Chen selaku Ambassador Taiwan for Indonesia. “Yogyakarta merupakan salah satu kota pendidikan yang ada di Indonesia, yang jumlah pelajar atau mahasiswanya sangat banyak. Oleh karena itu, adanya TEC di Yogyakarta khususnya di UMY menjadi sumber informasi terkait studi di Taiwan. Di Indonesia sudah didirikan 3 tempat TEC, yaitu di Jakarta, Surabaya dan ini yang ketiga di Yogyakarta bertempat di UMY,” tutup Jhon. (sofia)

Mr. Jhon Chen as the Taiwan Ambassador for Indonesia also stated the same. “Yogyakarta is one of the largest educational cities in Indonesia, with a high population of students. Because of that, the opening of a TEC office in Indonesia, especially in UMY, is a source of information regarding studies in Taiwan. This is the third TEC office in Indonesia, following the offices in Jakarta and UMY,” Jhon added. (sofia)