Diplomatic relations between Russia and Indonesia have been lasting for 75 years so far. In this respect, the cooperation between Tomsk State University and the universities in Indonesia is particularly prominent. On the eve of this important date, we talked to Artyom Rykun, TSU Vice-Rector for International Affairs, who shared his view on educational cooperation with Indonesian universities and potential joint projects.
- What makes diplomatic relations between Russia and Indonesia unique?
- Russia and Indonesia have a positive history of diplomatic relations without any negative consequences or problems. It dates back to the 19th century, when our anthropologist and naturalist Nikolay Miklukho-Maklai began to study this territory. In fact, this was our first contact with this country.
In post-revolutionary times, the relations between the two countries began more active. Soviet experts studied Indonesia, its culture and language, which was supported by Nikita Khrushchev, who had good relations with the Indonesian President Sukarno. Khrushchev once gave Indonesia a Soviet submarine as a gift, which is still in Surabaya. All residents of this city know that it is a Soviet boat. Besides, in Jakarta there is a monument to Yuri Gagarin. In general, Indonesians have a good attitude to Russia, they never speak negatively about our country, on the contrary, they are always quite positive.
At the same time, Indonesia is extremely interesting as a partner: 330 million people, three time zones, the richest resources, including the richest flora and fauna, several hundred nationalities and living languages. With such enormous potential, the predictions that Indonesia will become the world's fifth economy by 2035 are fair enough.
In turn, our countries have many joint plans, and I am sure that they will be successful. Many facts prove it. For example, Indonesia became a member of the BRICS Association on January 1, 2025. This accession will further strengthen the authority of the association, consistently unite the Global South and East to promote multilateral cooperation and multipolar world.
- If we talk about our university, about our work with Indonesia, what are the major achievements of TSU?
- TSU today is the leading Russian university working with Indonesia, which was confirmed by Sergey Tolchenov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Indonesia. This is also confirmed by the fact that we started working with this country a long time ago. Our first Indonesian university partner was Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS). In 2014, before the first personal contact, we signed a memorandum of understanding, and in 2015 we visited this university. We are still working with them, it has been ten years so far. This is one of our key Indonesian partners.
TSU also has the largest diaspora of Indonesian students in Russia, about 120 people. Moreover, they are active young people and take part in the life of the university. For example, last year they organized the celebration of the Indonesia Day - a cultural festival with exciting national dances and musical performances. This is valuable! We were the first to open a representative office of the University of Tomsk in Indonesia. We arrange Russian language classes and offer all kind of assistance to potential applicants by telling them about the opportunities of Russian higher education and the study in Tomsk. As far as I know, only two Russian universities have such offices now - Tomsk State University and Higher School of Economics.
We have notable Indonesian alumni. For example, the famous blogger Turah Parthayana, who has more than two million subscribers. In his blog, Turah talked about the everyday life at TSU, showed the Indonesians our city and its sights, and dispelled myths about the Russian winter. In general, he showed that studying in Russia is not so terrible, but on the contrary - unique and interesting. I would like to add that in 2024, Turah became the ambassador of Russian education and science. We had previously nominated him for this position.
In recent times, just before the New Year holidays, 29 Indonesian students graduated from TSU as part of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA). During four months of study they learned the basics of the hotel and restaurant business, gained skills in working with digital media and learned more about tourism. TSU was the first university to join this professional track.
Besides, TSU employees participate in summer schools in Indonesia and exchange experience with Indonesian colleagues, which clearly demonstrates the backward cooperation.
- Can we say that Indonesian partners will be able to apply the experience of our university in their practice?
- Of course. Indonesian universities are now actively developing the technological component. No doubt that it was there before: for example, Soviet scientists actively cooperated with the Bandung Institute of Technology, the strongest technical university in Indonesia. Now the technologicalization of education and, in general, technical education in the Indonesia has received a new impetus of development. Indonesia is a multi-confessional country, but 80% of its population are Muslims. Therefore, part of Indonesian universities are called Islamic universities and are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. These universities have traditionally concentrated on social sciences and humanities. However, now they have been instructed to create faculties of science and technology. One of them is UIN Raden Intan Lampung, which is located in the south of Sumatra, a 40-minute flight from Jakarta.
- How? Do we provide methodological assistance or do we offer study programs?
- We cooperate in each of these areas. The rector of this university, Wan Damaluddin, is a graduate of St. Petersburg University. He is extremely interested in creating a technical faculty with us, working in different areas - joint teaching, education and research.
At the end of last year, Irina Kuskova, Deputy Director of the Bioengineering Center of Agrobiotech, paid a working visit to the Indonesian university. As a first step we will organize training for their researchers, show them how to use special equipment in further joint laboratories.
This cooperation is certainly mutually beneficial. UIN Raden Intan Lampung has a strong material and technical resources, and we have ideas for its development and proposals for joint research projects. For example, we plan to start work on bioinformatics and study the tropical seas. We are also considering the possibility of opening a joint marine center.
There will definitely be joint study programs. Our colleagues have a request for training master students, PhD students and doctors of science, and we are ready to help them in this as well.
- So the plans are quite ambitious?
- Undoubtedly. Moreover, these plans do not only cover education, but also research. We are thinking about joint laboratories, cooperation in the field of technological science, which, to my opinion, is our best contribution to the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
