UNS – To celebrate its 49th Dies Natalis, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta officially launched the China Center. The center serves as a hub for academic and cultural collaboration with institutions in China. The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday (11/3/2025) at the China Center. It occupies the 4th floor of the UNS Library Service Unit. The signing of a commemorative plaque by UNS Rector, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., highlighted the event.
Strengthening Indonesia-China Academic and Cultural Ties
During the event, Fan Jie, Director of the Confucius Institute at UNS, expressed appreciation for the China Center’s establishment. Representing China, she emphasized that this initiative strengthens the longstanding friendship between Indonesia and China. She hopes the center will enhance cultural and academic exchanges. In particular, she aims to strengthen language and educational development for students, lecturers, and staff.
“The UNS China Center is a testament to the strong friendship between China and Indonesia. As the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations approaches in 2025, we believe this center will continue to grow. It will also contribute significantly to fostering cooperation in various fields,” Fan Jie stated.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Yunus, M.S., Head of the UNS Mandarin Language Center, emphasized the reason behind the establishment of the China Center. The rapid growth of activities at the UNS Confucius Institute prompted its creation. The Chinese Embassy has recognized it as the most active Mandarin Language Center in Indonesia. It aims to accelerate academic and industrial collaboration between UNS and China.
“The Rector and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (MWA) have given their approval. With this support, we are committed to strengthening UNS’s ties with universities in China. We also aim to enhance collaboration with industries in the country. Our main objective is to facilitate student and faculty exchanges while enhancing cooperation with industries in both countries. The China Center will serve as a key bridge for these partnerships,” he explained.
A Strategic Initiative for Global Engagement
Prof. Muliaman Darmansyah Hadad, Ph.D., Chairman of the UNS Board of Trustees (MWA), emphasized the significance of the China Center. He stated that it represents a strategic step in expanding UNS’s international collaborations. According to him, this initiative encompasses three key aspects. They are Business-to-Business (B2B), Government-to-Government (G2G), and People-to-People (P2P), all of which support the university’s global engagement.
Meanwhile, UNS Rector, Prof. Dr. Hartono, reaffirmed the importance of the China Center. He stated that it will strengthen the university’s collaboration with various Chinese institutions, particularly in education, research, and research commercialization.
“We warmly welcome the establishment of the China Center. This initiative will serve as a bridge for research and education while supporting collaborations in other fields,” he said.
Key UNS officials attended the inauguration ceremony. The attendees included Vice Rector for Student and Alumni Affairs, Prof. Ir. Dody Ariawan, S.T., M.T., Ph.D.Vice Rector for Planning, International Cooperation, and Information, Prof. Irwan Trinugroho, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D. also present. Other attendees included the Head of the UNS International Office, the Head of the UNS Library Service Unit, and several deans from various faculties. With the launch of the China Center, UNS strengthens its position as a globally oriented university. The institution continues to expand its international collaborations to advance education and research in Indonesia. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: “Quality Education” and SDGs 17: “Partnerships for the Goals.”
HUMAS UNS
