ACEH GOVERNOR WANTS INCREASED EDUCATION COOPERATION WITH TAIWAN

Banda Aceh, Feb 22 (ANTARA) - Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf has called for increased cooperation in the field of education with Taiwan.

"Taiwan's support to the people of Aceh after the tsunami is very specific as it is not only put in the form of money but also technology and education. We hope the cooperation can be increased in the future," he said here on Monday at the dedication of an "Aceh Taiwan Center."
The ceremony was also attended by the Taiwanse government representative, namely the chairman of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Indonesia, Andrew LY Hsia.

One of the things the Taiwanese government had donated to the Aceh people is an information and communications technology facility at the University of Syiah Kuala Darussalam, worth US$2 million.

"Taiwan has also given an information and communications technology building whose construction was started at the end of last year and is expected to operate in August 2010," he said.

Through the program the total value of aid from Taiwan for the Acehnese people reached around US$50 million, the governor said.

He said Taiwan had also given opportunities to Achenese students to pursue further studies in Taiwan.

"That is a great opportunity as so far we tend to look to the US, Europe and Malaysia while the quality of education in Taiwan has also been recognized in the world especially in the field of health," he said.

Aceh sent 20 students to Taiwan to study medicine in 2009.

Therefore, the governor said the Aceh Taiwan Center would reflect a common commitment for continued cooperation in the field of education.

"The building will not only become a symbol of friendship but also a center of education for the people of Aceh. I hope it can be used as a Mandarin language center," he said.

He also hoped the Aceh Taiwan Center would be the initial step towards making Aceh one of the education centers in Indonesia.