On October 28th, 2016, Mr. Chairul Tanjung, former Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia and Founder and CEO of CT Group, led a delegation of Indonesian guests, including the Indonesian Ambassador to China, on a visit toYenching Academy. The Vice President of Peking University, Li Yansong, greeted thevisitors at Jing Yuan courtyard.
After his opening remarks, Vice President Li described the cooperative relationship between Peking University and other universities in Southeast Asia, especially those in Indonesia. Vice President Li also noted that Peking University offers a major in Indonesian language studies, and hosts a number of Indonesian students. Dean Yuan Ming and Associate Dean John Holden then introduced the development of Yenching Academy, both in terms of its curriculum and its recruitment process.
Mr. Tanjung expressed his great respect for Peking University, and the university’s unique role in modern Chinese history. He praised the establishment of Yenching Academy as a welcome and necessary program in cross-cultural communication. He also expressed a wish that more Indonesian students will have the opportunity to study at Yenching Academy in the future, a sentiment that both Dean Yuan Ming and Associate Dean John Holden supported warmly.
In the meeting, Mr. Tanjung discussed Indonesian education policy, and expressed adesire to cooperate with China and with Peking University in the field of education. He spoke highly of the achievements of Peking University and Yenching Academy, and the potential for collaboration between China and Indonesia in higher education.
After the meeting, Mr. Tanjung gave a speech to students about the new era of Asia in a changing world. He compared the process of development in China and Indonesia, with an emphasis on the importance of strengthening cooperation between both countries. After his speech, students asked questions related to economic issues, education, and other topics. As he closed the event, Mr. Tanjungencouraged students to focus on their studies, and to welcome challenges as an opportunity to achieve their personal goals.
