Education Keeps Long Term U.S.-Indonesian Relations: Envoy

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The United States is set to maintain long term relations with Indonesia through cooperation in education program under which Indonesian students are encouraged to proceed their studies in the U.S. higher educational institutes.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia  Bryan McFeeters told reporters here on Thursday night relations between communities are priority in the program of U.S. bilateral relations  with Indonesia.

Indonesian students in the United States could strengthen the relations, McFeeters said on the sidelines of a discussion on Magisterial and Doctorate Program  in the United States.

"If we send young students to the United States, they would return with an impression  and good memory of the United States. They  might keep international connections with friends in that country," he said.

He said the role of Indonesian students in the United States is not only pursuing knowledge, but also as  envoys of their country that could give information about Indonesia to Americans .

"We consider Indonesians there as envoys as they could explain many things about Indonesia including cultures, religious tolerance, democratic values  and freedom of expressing opinions," he added.

He said the role of the Indonesian students, therefore, is important as Americans have very limited information about Indonesia.

"There are not many Americans who know Indonesia very well," he added.

The discussion was  organized by the Education Fund Management Agency  of the Finance Ministry in cooperation with the U.S.A Education, which is networks of information centers  of the Education and Culture Bureau of the U.S. government.

Currently, there are around 8,500 Indonesians  studying various fields of studies in the United States.  (WDY)