It was not until the fall of president Soeharto that bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands in the education sector entered its progressive phase. Through the Netherlands Education Center (NEC), a nonprofit organization funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, such a cooperation has been established to cement closer relations between the two nations. NEC director Ad de Leeuw shared his views with The Jakarta Post’s Rendi Akhmad Witular and Tony Hotland on the issue. The following are excerpts from the interview:

Question: How is the relationship faring, between the Netherlands and Indonesia in the higher education sector?

Answer: Yes. In 1992 Soeharto once said "go to hell with your aid", and everything (cooperation and assistance schemes from the Netherlands) were stopped after that. This is because the Dutch minister for the development of cooperation at that time, Jan Pronk, was critical on human rights issue.

Soeharto got angry, and said he had not wanted any help from the Dutch. After that many programs that were already running had to stop. Many Indonesian students in Holland had to go back to Indonesia because the (bilateral) programs were stopped.

Eventually, all kinds of cooperation were forbidden. But within the sector of higher education people from the two countries still have several programs.

A lot of Dutch universities later reestablished their own activities here (around 1995) but were not coordinated.

There was then this idea to orchestrate, organize and synchronize all of these programs, which were run separately by different Dutch universities. So the idea was translated into the setting up of an office that would represent the world of higher education in the Netherlands, and became a bridge between the Indonesian higher education system and those of the Dutch.

We then started the NEC to fulfill that function in 1996. Pak Wardiman Djojonegoro (the Indonesian education minister at that time) was not very much in favor, and said the government would not facilitate it.

But we did it anyway, and decided to continue. It was difficult at the beginning because the cooperation with the ministry was not so good.

The atmosphere eventually changed, and Wardiman started to support us. The ministry then regularly invited us. When Soeharto stepped down everything got easier.

How’s the current cooperation then?

The NEC has three main tasks: to provide information about the Dutch education system so that people in Indonesia are interested in studying there; initiate cooperation between institutions and between Indonesian and Dutch universities in all kind of fields including student and lecturer exchange and joint programs; and arranging scholarship programs for the Dutch government.

Two or three days after the inauguration of former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, the Dutch delegation of senior officials visited Indonesia and met Indonesian coordinating minister for the economy Kwik Kian Gie.

Kwik urged the delegation to provide scholarships. In those days, there was a lot of money coming from the Dutch government to Indonesia for development projects, but not for scholarships. And the money could go through the World Bank.

Kwik insisted the delegation provide direct assistance to Indonesia. Three months later when Gus Dur visited Holland in February 2000, the Dutch government agreed to provide a scholarship program.

In 2000, we started with 3 million euros (for the scholarship), a year after it had already doubled. Last year, 4.5 million euros were spent, and we keep trying to get more out of the system.

We are now the second biggest scholarship provider for Indonesia. In numbers, only Australia is bigger than us. This year we sent about 170-180 people for masters and 100 people for other programs.

How effective is this scholarship program for the development of Indonesia?

There are now around 6,000 to 7,000 Indonesian Dutch Alumni (between 2000-2006, the NEC had sent more than 800 Indonesian students to the Netherlands under the recent scholarship programs). Most of them are in the government, probably between 70 and 80 percent. The vast majority go to people in certain groups; government officials, lecturers, non-governmental organization workers and journalists.

It will take a longer time to measure the extent to which this program can contribute to the development of Indonesia. Several students joining earlier programs in the 1960s and the 1970s are now ministers here.

We want to see how far we think they can be role models or agents of change. There is no point sending someone to Holland, and when he or she returns back home they only close their office door, sitting there doing nothing.

Are there any changes in the way the Dutch provide their aid to Indonesia?

Dutch development aid in the early 1960s and 1970s was all based on infrastructure programs such as roads and hospitals. Later we realized that this was not the way to do it. You put something there, you walked away and you came back after three years and there was no maintenance — it was all gone.

We realize we must have different programs. What happened then was we channeled the money to the WB and the Asian Development Bank.

Then we realized we should do it based on bilateral cooperation. And education is the right thing to do. We are giving Indonesians the tools and showing them how to solve problems. For the long term this is a much better approach.

Everybody realizes they have to give aid. For the very simple reason that the world is more and more becoming a global village.

Hundred of years ago, traveling to Indonesia took two or three months, today it’s only 24 hours. You become neighbors. But you don’t want poor neighbors because it will cause you a headache. You want developed and rich neighbors. That is why we feel responsible about assisting our neighbors.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaileditorial.asp?fileid=20060829.F05&irec=4

"TEMON pulang kampung bawa istri wanita indo!" ujar Temin.

"Masak? Ayo ke rumahnya!" sambut Teman. Sekembali dari rumah Temon, ia menukas, "Indo dari mana? Seperti bibik-bibik!"

"Indo…nesia!" jawab Temin ngakak. "Otakmu terkontaminasi sinetron yang menonjolkan primadona indo berdarah campuran bule! Akibatnya, setiap mendengar indo langsung membayangkan wanita atau pria berdarah campuran bule! Padahal, indo yang standar universal itu justru Indonesia dan Indocina!"

"Para produser dan sutradara sinetron itu tak sendiri!" sambut Teman. "Penonjolan indo bule untuk mencitrakan keindonesiaan pria atau wanita dalam sinetron itu cuma salah satu aspek westernisasi versi kebule-bulean dalam ragam dimensi kehidupan bangsa kita! Mulai cara berpakaian para eksekutif dan politisi, pemikiran dalam ragam pengetahuan sampai sistem ekonomi pasar liberal yang efektif di masyarakat, semua kebule-bulean! Malah nyaris dalam semua produk yang kita pakai sehari-hari, dari arloji, komputer sampai mobil, dibuat dengan campuran komponen impor! Dan jujur saja, semua itu kita usung sebagai kebanggaan Indonesia!"

"Kalau itu alasanmu, susah mendebatnya!" ujar Temin. "Mungkin karena 350 tahun kita dijajah Belanda! Dulu pribumi yang maju gaya hidupnya kebelanda-belandaan, kini kebule-bulean! Makin banyak warga yang maju, kian dominan gaya kebule-bulean, bahkan menjurus sebagai budaya alternatif!"

"Gejala gaya hidup demikian sebagai budaya alternatif bisa lebih mapan lagi ke generasi selanjutnya!" timpal Teman. "Sebab, kalau dulu gaya kebelandaan cuma merasuki kalangan demang ke atas dengan kawalan serdadu di pusat-pusat kekuasaan, kini lewat layar televisi dengan program Hollywood dan acara Barat lain, pengaruh gaya hidup itu menyelinap ke dalam rumah kita, membentuk alam pikir dan cita rasa anak-anak kita!"

"Juga secara sistematis negara memfasilitasi pengaitan gerbong bangsa kita ke lokomotif liberalisasi perdagangan dunia, yang di balik setiap unsurnya, mengandung latar belakang ideologi tertentu!" tegas Temin. "Salah satu ideologinya, yang sekarang juga sudah terasa pengaruhnya di tengah masyarakat, adalah hedonisme–kecintaan pada barang-barang mewah melebihi kecintaan terhadap sesama manusia sendiri!"

"Malah demi mendapatkan barang-barang mewah itu, rela mengorbankan sesama manusia!" timpal Teman. "Gejala itulah yang akan terus menguat dalam masyarakat kita! Parahnya, hal itu bukan hanya dalam wujud pemilikan barang konsumtif yang melebihi kebutuhan, tapi juga keinginan secara fisik menjadi bule! Cewek-cewek berkulit hitam manis berebut ragam pemutih kulit!"

"Semua itu sah-sah saja sebagai lambang kesejahteraan bersama!" tegas Temin. "Tapi, malangnya, hedonisme dicapai lewat korupsi dan cara lain yang mengorbankan sesama! Sebab, liberalisme itu sendiri adalah ideologi survival ot the fittest, hanya yang terkuat berhak hidup, sehingga yang terjadi selalu homo homini lupus–saling memangsa di antara sesamanya!" ***

E-mail: FAO-Banda-Aceh@fao.org with a CC to Nuni.Afrina@fao.org

Kemitraan Pendidikan Dasar Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTTPEP)
bertujuan meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan sekolah dasar
di Kabupaten Sikka, Ende dan Ngada di Flores. Kemitraan
ini didanai oleh AusAID dan Pemerinta Indonesia serta
dikelola oleh Coffey International Development.

Kemitraan kini sedang mencari seorang pakar di bidang
Manajemen Berbasis Sekolah guna membantu Dinas P&K
Kabupaten Ngada untuk melaksanakan reformasi pendidikan

Pelamar harus berwarga negara Indonesia dan sanggup
menunjukkan bahwa ia memiliki pengalaman dan kualifikasi
yang pantas serta sanggup malaksanakan tugas-tugas yang
diminta NTTPEP dengan standar mutu yang tinggi. Lebih
diutamakan pelamar yang telah berpengalaman membantu
Pemerintah Indonesia dalam menerapkan kebijakan
desentralisasi. Pelamar yang diterima diharapkan mulai
bekerja pada bulan Oktober 2006. Kontrak yang menarik
untuk 12 bulan akan ditawarkan bagi pelamar yang dipilih.

Uraian tugas dan format lamaran dapat diperoleh melalui
situs jaringan NTTPEP: www.nttpep.web.id

Lamaran yang dibuat tanpa melalui format yang disediakan
tidak akan dipertimbangkan

Lamaran ditutup pada hari Jumat, 8 September 2006

NTTPEP memberikan peluang yang berkesetaraan.
Perempuan maupun laki-laki didorong untuk mengajukan
lamaran

Applications are invited for scholarships funded by the
British Government for Postgraduate study in the UK during
the 2007/08 academic year.

The application form will be available between 1 - 30
September 2006.

Meanwhile you can get full information on the Chevening
awards here including the requirements or visit
www.educationuk.

or.id for full info on Study in UK.

The British Chevening Awards General Information &
Requirements

General
A prestigious programme funded by the British Government
(Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and administered by the
British Council.

Over 1000 scholarships awarded in Indonesia since 1984.

This year up to 35 full scholarships are offered for one
year Master degrees.

Courses at various universities and professional
institutions in the UK including courses in media,
finance, economics, politics, law, management,
engineering, gender, environment, democracy etc.

A very competitive scheme. Only the best applicants are
invited for further test and interview.

Who can apply?

Indonesian Citizen.
Age between 25 - 40 years old.
Excellent first degree with minimum GPA 3.0.
Adequate level of spoken and written English language.
Minimum of 2 years full time working experience after
graduation from S1.
Excellent career prospects.
Commitment to career development, and ability to
demonstrate motivation.
Field of study should be relevant to educational
background or current profession.
We regret that we are unable to receive applications for
MBAs.
Previous recipients of a Chevening scholarship for Masters
degrees are not eligible to reapply.
Must be able to demonstrate future leadership potential
and the capacity to play an important role in Indonesia’s
development.
Ability and potential to contribute to future bilateral
relations between Indonesia and Britain.
We strongly encourage candidates from Eastern Indonesia to
apply and the subject areas are Media, International
Relations, Environmental Policy, Local Governmental
Administration, Democracy and Pluralism.

When to apply?

The call for applications will be advertised in the
national and regional press during August 2006.
You can download the application forms from this website
from 1 September - 30 September 2006.
The Selection process

Initial selection is based on the quality of the written
application.

Successful applicants will be notified and invited for an
English test/interview by October/November 2006.

The English test and interviews will be held in Jakarta,
Surabaya, Medan and Makassar in November 2006.

The results of the interviews will be announced by letter
in December 2006/January 2007.

Candidates achieving an IELTS score of at least 6.5, and
who are accepted by a UK university for an appropriate
subject (approved by the Embassy) will be awarded a full
scholarship.

English language training is included as part of the
scholarship. Candidates from outside Jakarta are supported
during the period of the course.

Whilst undergoing English language training in Jakarta,
candidates are briefed by British Embassy and British
Council staff and are given guidance on course selection
and applications procedures.

The academic year in the UK commences in
September/October. After completing the English courses
(around April) candidates are normally advised to return
to their employment. The British Council then keeps in
touch with candidates about their departure arrangements.
Further briefing on the departure arrangements is provided
one month prior to departure.

The final number of scholarships granted is determined by
the British Embassy.
For further information please contact:

British Council

Jakarta Stock Exchange, Tower II, 16th floor. Jalan
Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52-53,
Jakarta 12190, Indonesia.

Monday - Thursday 08.00 - 16.00
Friday 08.00 - 14.00
(by appointment only)

T : +62 (0)21 515 5561
F : +62 (0)21 515 5562
E : chevening@britishcouncil.or.id

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots,
each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it
while the other pot was perfect and
always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house,the cracked
pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily,
with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure,the cracked
pot spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself,
because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your
side of the path,but not on the other pot’s side?"
"That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back,
you water them."
"For two years I have been able to pick
these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are,
there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

It’s the cracks and flaws we each have
that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. There is a reason for the uniqueness of each of us.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends,
have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the
path!

"Ma, dari mana sih datangnya seorang bayi,?" tanya Si kecil Yuli pada
ibunya. "Burung bangau yang bawa, Nak," jawab ibunya sekenanya.

"Ma, siapa yang menjaga rumah kita dari perampok?," tanya Yuli lagi.
"Polisi, sayang," lag-lagi sang ibu menjawab sekenanya.

"Trus kalau rumah kita kebakaran siapa yang bakal nyelamatin kita?," tanya
Yuli lagi.
"Pemadam kebakaran, donk!," jawab ibunya sambil tersenyum.

"Ma, nanya lagi ya …. Dari mana sih kita dapat makan?," tanya si kecil
sambil kecut seperti mengharap sebuah jawaban tertentu.
"Pak tani," jawab ibu.

"Mama …," gumam Yuli penuh keraguan. "Ya, sayang?"
"Kalau gitu … Papa buat apa, Ma?"

Pada suatu pertemuan di Washington seorang pejabat Indonesia bertemu dengan pengusaha raksasa produsen telpon genggam. Cerita punya cerita sang produsen menawarkan produknya, sebuah HandPhone GSM yang bisa digunakan menghubungi kemana saja termasuk ke surga dan neraka.

Pejabat tersebut akhirnya mencoba menghubungi istrinya yang pertama yang
telah meninggal akibat stroke setelah salah makanan….termasuk makan uang hasil korupsi sang suami.

Sang pejabat tersebut bertanya pada si Amerika ini, tentang berapa harus
membayar untuk pembicaraan 3 menit tadi. Teryata mahal juga, sang pejabat
harus membayar US$200. wah mahal juga tapi tak apalah …

Akhirnya Sang Pejabat tertarik membeli HP sejenis dan membawanya pulang ke Indonesia. Sampai di Indonesia dia menghubungi sang istrinya yang sudah
meninggal tadi. Setelah berbicara hampir 1 jam dicek bahwa pembicaraan itu
hanya menghabiskan US$10. Langsung dia menghubungi Si Amerika tadi: "Hai yang bener aja kemarin di Amerika saya pakai cuma tiga menit harus bayar US$200, mahal bener barusan di sini saya coba pakai 1 jam cuma US$10."

Si Amerika dengan santainya menjawab, "Ya tentu saja…Indonesia khan dekat dengan neraka, tarifnya mungkin lokal"

                                                                         Tempat  : Halaman Balaikota Jogjakarta

                                                                                        Timoho            

                                                Peserta     :     ASRAMA MAHASISWA  NTT “PA’RADJA”

KOMUNITAS STAR OF THE EAST

                                     Musik       :   Komunitas Star Of The East

                                                                          Penari       :  -     Novita Lau

                                                                                              -     Jack Duka

-         Darlane Litaay

-         Ruben Tefbana

-         Mawar Indah L.

Dalam memaknai situasi dan kondisi yang terjadi pada bumi nusantara saat ini, kita dituntut untuk terus tabah dan berusaha bijak dalam mengatasi segala rintangan yang ada. Segala potensi yang ada harus sekiranya dicurahkan untuk mengatasi atau menyikapi semua ini. Begitupula dengan kami, karya tari ini lahir dari sebuah ekspresi tentang segala keadaan yang sedang eksis di sekeliling kita semua, dimana dalam hati kecil kami tersirat sebuah asa untuk lepas dari segala cobaan yang selama ini kita hadapi dengan menyerahkan semua kedalam tangan Yang Maha Kuasa.

Sebuah karya seni tari yang terinspirasikan dari sebuah ritual upacara Kesuburan asal masyarakat Kab. Alor, NTT. Sohe disini berarti tarian persembahan dan Yiir artinya air, yaitu sebagai lambang kesuburan. Ritual ini merupakan prosesi pemanggilan roh suci leluhur masyarakat Alor yang bersemayam di dalam sebuah gong pusaka. Benda pusaka ini hanya dapat dikeluarkan maupun dibunyikan pada saat tertentu saja dimana masyarakat Alor sedang tertimpa musibah atau bencana, contohnya seperti kekeringan dll.

Karya tari ini dikemas sedemikian rupa sehingga tidak meninggalkan identitas asli darimana tradisi ini berasal, urutan-urutan asli upacara ritual adalah sebagai pijakan dasar dalam penggarapan karya tari ini. Ini semua dimaksudkan agar tetap menjaga kelestarian kekayaan budaya, khususnya asal Provinsi NTT tanpa mengkontaminasikannya dengan derasnya arus modernisasi dan globalisasi.

Pada kesempatan ini, Novita Lau beserta Mahasiswa Asrama NTT “Pa’Radja” & Komunitas Star Of The East mencoba menerjemahkan fenomena ekspresi keberagaman dalam satu kesatuan yang ada di bumi Nusantara kedalam bentuk karya seni tari.

Diselenggarakan oleh :

Dinas Budaya & Pariwisata Yogyakarta – IKPMD Yogyakarta

Didukung oleh :

Asrama NTT “Pa’Radja” – PT.GUDANG GARAM Tbk– Kabare Magazine

Dan pihak-pihak yang tidak bisa disebutkan satu persatu.

Seorang guru bermaksud melatih anak-anak didiknya di sekolah dasar untuk memupuk rasa percaya diri mereka. Guru tersebut meminta mereka untuk memperkenalkan diri sekaligus mengungkapkan cita-cita mereka.

Doddi berdiri dan berkata, "Nama saya Dodi. Kalau besar nanti saya ingin menjadi pilot, jadi saya bisa pergi ke Amerika, Eropa, Australia dan sebagainya",

"Bagus sekali Dodi. Terimakasih. Siapa lagi?", tanya Bu Guru.

Seorang anak perempuan yang duduk di tengah berdiri dan berkata, "Nama saya Shanti. Kalau besar nanti, Shanti ingin jadi ibu rumah tangga dan punya anak yang manis."

"Bagus. Jadi ibu rumah tangga merupakan cita-cita yang mulia. Siapa lagi?".

Si Hein berdiri dan berkata, "Saya Hein, nanti kalau sudah besar saya akan membantu Shanti mencapai cita-citanya…..".