Indonesia NAIST Alumni Association (INAA) held first Online Reunion (2020 /9/12)
On September 12, 2020, the Indonesia NAIST Alumni Association (INAA) held its first-ever Online Reunion. INAA is NAIST's only overseas alumni association, granted certification of Non-Profit Organization from the Indonesian government in 2017. Currently, there are 84 INAA members, many of whom are actively involved in education and research activities as faculty members at Indonesian universities. INAA reunions, regularly held in various Indonesian regions since 2013, are attended by the NAIST faculty. Considering NAIST faculty participation and taking into account the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year it was decided to hold the reunion online using Zoom.
In the opening remarks, INAA President Dr. Berry Juliandi (Bogor Agricultural University: IPB) explained that in Indonesia the NAIST community is one large family, and that even after many years passing since graduation, Indonesian graduates maintain close ties with NAIST and its faculty. Then, following a video message from NAIST President Dr. YOKOYA Naokazu, NAIST Indonesia Office Director Prof. KAWAICHI Masashi gave a presentation on current education and research activities in NAIST. From the Indonesian side, INAA Vice-President Dr. Zainal Arief (Surabaya State Electronic Polytechnic: PENS) summarized the history of INAA activities and NAIST alumni representatives from each of our 7 Indonesian partner institutions introduced the educational and research activities of their institutions (NAIST is grateful for the close relationships we maintain with prestigious Indonesian institutions including Universitas Gadjah Mada, Bogor Agricultural University, Universitas Indonesia, Jenderal Soedirman University, Hasanuddin University, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, and Institut Teknologi Bandung.) These presentations were representative of the remarkable success that NAIST alumni have achieved in partner institutions through active collaborative research with overseas universities and research institutions.
In the second half of the program, from NAIST, Associate Professor Dr. MD. Altaf-Ul-Amin, Associate Professor Dr. YOSHIDA Shosuke, and Assistant Professor Dr. Chanthaset Nalinthip presented their individual research and their collaborative research being performed with Indonesian researchers, and this was followed by current NAIST students from Indonesia, Ms. Liliany Noviyanty Pamasi (D2) and Mr. Radifan Fitrach Muhammad (M1), describing their active academic and campus life. Finally, Prof. KIYOKAWA Kiyoshi, the Chairperson of the NAIST Alumni Association, commended the INAA and its members for their remarkable activities and expressed his expectations for future cooperation and collaboration with INAA. The Reunion closed discussions and exchanging of ideas concerning prospective education and research exchange between two countries within the COVID-19 crisis. Participants made suggestions including remote online lectures and unofficial casual meetings on regular basis, which will contribute to the future development of research collaboration between NAIST faculty and Indonesian alumni so that the education and research collaboration can grow and develop as we all adapt to the COVID-19 infection and its after-effects.
The Reunion continued for more than 4 hours with the participation of approximately 70 people from INAA, NAIST faculty, NAIST alumni, and current NAIST students from Indonesia and ended as a great success. The Reunion was a friendly event where professors, their former students, and former schoolmates were able to strengthen their long-lasting friendships. We hope this first Online Reunion will be another step in the development of the mutual cooperation between NAIST and our Indonesian partner institutions.
Online Reunion using Zoom