Brithis Ambassador Wants Students To Participate In UGM's Student Service Program

Jakarta, Nov 24 (Antara) - Moazzam Malik, British Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN and East Timor, wants students from his country to participate in the study service programs offered to foreign students by Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta. The plan was delivered by Malik at a meeting with UGM's Rector Professor Dwikorita Karnawati in Yogyakarta on Wednesday (Nov 23), according a statement from UGM received by Antara here on Thursday. "Thirty years ago when people did not discuss about education for sustainable development, we had started organizing student study service programs, "he said. She added that through a cooperation scheme, UGM can help British students participate in the program, and the theme can be associated with projects concerning plurality and tolerance, as conveyed by Malik in a public lecture. At the lecture, Malik expressed his admiration for the culture of tolerance applied by Indonesia, and urged the government and people to share their experiences to other countries in the world. "Among all the countries where I've worked, Indonesia can be considered the most successful country in protecting and promoting tolerance and moderation," he said. He noted several special experiences during his first visit to Indonesia a few years ago. As a Muslim who grew up in England, he was surprised and proud to see women in Muslim dress riding motorcycles on public streets, and attend a meeting led by a woman Islam cleric at the State Palace. These experiences are something that cannot be found in many other Muslim countries, he added. "Maybe for you, it is a common matter to see women in headscarves riding motorcycles. But for me, it is so incredible that I instantly took a photo and sent it to my daughter. In some Muslim countries, this could cause big controversy," Malik said. Malik sees the condition as unique in the religious life in Indonesia which, on a larger scale, can be a potential solution to the problems of intolerance in the world. In addition to cooperation in student study service program, Malik and the Rector also discussed cooperation in the field of manufacturing through teaching industry established by UGM. Other areas of cooperation include academics, as well as other fields in UGM, the British Embassy and the British universities.