TEMPO.CO, Depok - The University of Indonesia (UI) and University of Queensland (UQ) Australia are intensifying cooperation through the implementation of the UI-UQ Bilateral Research Forum.

UI Chancellor, Professor Ari Kuncoro, noted in a statement received here on Saturday that in the past two decades, both universities had forged strong cooperation, which started when UI unveiled an International Double Degree Program for its Psychology Faculty.

The collaboration continues to develop by opening undergraduate and postgraduate double degree programs at the Faculty of Public Health, Engineering, Economics and Business, as well as the Communication Study Program.

At the research level, UI and UQ researchers often collaborate to produce scientific studies that have been published and been demonstrated to be beneficial to the government and society.

UI Deputy Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor Dr rer nat Abdul Haris stated that the COVID-19 pandemic had given rise to multidimensional problems, including hindering efforts to establish relations with partner universities abroad in the wake of travel restrictions.

"However, with increasingly sophisticated technology, we are now able to establish collaborations, including conducting research and studies, and the dissemination can be delivered through online seminars," he stated.

The seminar is expected to serve as a forum for scientific discussions as well as a platform to maintain strong cooperation between both universities and countries.

The topic to be discussed at the seminar is one of importance for both nations and is expected to yield solutions that can benefit the people.

The research collaboration between the two campuses was marked by the implementation of the first series of online seminars on "Policies to Prevent Violent Extremism, Landscapes and Its Implications for Security, Law and Bilateral Justice" on Thursday (Oct 1)

The panelists comprised academics, researchers, and experts in the respective fields, including Mirra Noor Milla, the UI social psychology expert; Susilo Wibisono, the UI social researcher; and Professor Winnifred R. Louis, the professor of Psychology at UQ.

Pribadi Sutiono, the assistant for coordination work for Asia-Pacific and Africa, Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, and Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah, the Indonesia country director of the Asian Muslim Action Network, were the other panelists.

Read also: Stricter Social Distancing Measures Crucial to Control COVID-19: UI

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