The Indonesian Embassy in Beijing has again entrusted Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta to carry out Mandarin language training for school principals. This training also involves the Asean China Center and BFSU (Beijing Foreign Studies University) as partners. The event runs from November 15 to December 3 online. "Political, security, economic relations can be up and down, but if people-to-people relations are strong, the returns will be very fast," said H.E. Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun, Ambassador of The Republic of Indonesia to The People's Republic of China and Mongolia. People-to-people relations in culture and education will make the relationship between the two countries more substantial and sustainable. They will have implications for economic, political, and security cooperation. China is one of the major economic powers in the world today, so the more we get to know its culture and know its language, the more benefits it will bring. The Ambassador advised school principals and training participants to gain provision and good contributions between the two countries to take advantage of this opportunity.

The Director of Professional Education for Teacher Development and Education Personnel, Praptono, said that school transformation was heading towards the Indonesian education system, which was concerned with improving the quality of education, especially on student outcomes in three areas: literacy and numeracy and character education. "We have an agenda to improve teaching quality, which is one of the keys to improving learning outcomes," said Praptono. According to him, Indonesia has more than three million teachers, but some need improved competence. The Indonesian government has also implemented online learning to enhance the quality of teacher competencies, and collaboration in this training is very helpful in improving teaching and learning activities for teachers and school principals. Praptono hopes that in the future, activities like this can increase mutual benefits in the form of sister schools between schools in Indonesia and China. Hopefully, this activity can be followed carefully by the principals to improve their abilities.

Vice President of BFSU SU Dapeng thanked the ASEAN China Center for the trust in BFSU. "Thank you to officials and assistants for their support for this program," said SU Dapeng. This year is entering the 30th year of China's relations with ASEAN, where Indonesia is significant to China. This activity is one of the programs that shows attention to education and shows good relations with institutions abroad. As the executor of activities, BFSU provides professional trainers based on experience in international education cooperation and tries to lead participants to speak Mandarin. Hopefully, this activity participants can learn Chinese culture and learn and understand education in China and contribute more to this collaboration. According to Chen Dehai from the ASEAN China Center, two months ago, the ASEAN China Center conducted leadership training for two weeks in partnership with the Indonesian Embassy in China. Chen Dehai appreciated the participants because they still had time to study and learn Chinese culture and language in between their busy schedules. "I am happy to meet you again on this occasion," said Chen Dehai. Mandarin is a popular choice for students in Indonesia and is one of the most popular languages in Indonesia. BFSU is one of the first universities in China to teach Indonesian. This activity will provide a platform for mutual learning and pioneering other collaborations between China and Indonesia.

UNY Vice-Rector for Planning and Cooperation, Siswantoyo, thanked the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, ASEAN China Centre, BFSU for holding Mandarin training for school principals and entrusting UNY to help with the training. "We hope that all participants can fully participate in this training with a professional lecturer's guidance," said Siswantoyo. This activity can also improve the participants' ability to speak Mandarin. More than 100 school principals from all over Indonesia. The Vice-Rector also expressed UNY's openness to collaborate with school principals and institutions participating in this activity in the future. There will also be follow-up after the training to develop a good activity framework. This activity is one of UNY's efforts on the sustainable development agenda in quality education and partnerships to achieve goals. (Dedy, Tj.Lak)