Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) Universitas Brawijaya (UB) received a visit from the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H. Fadli Zon, S.S., M.Sc., in the framework of Cultural Workshop and Discussion of Indonesian Culture House or Rumah Budaya Indonesia (RBI) UB in China. The event, which took place on Monday (2/17/2025) in the Hall 2nd floor of Building A FCS UB, aimed to strengthen cultural diplomacy through RBI and discuss strategies to strengthen UB’s role in developing Indonesian culture at the global level.
Dean of FCS UB, Hamamah, Ph.D., explained that the vision of UB’s RBI program in China is to become the center of Indonesian cultural and language diplomacy abroad. The program aims to increase understanding and cooperation between Indonesia and China through cultural promotion and language education.
“RBI is an initiation for cultural and language diplomacy. With the increasing bilateral relations between Indonesia and China, we need to enter with cultural diplomacy considering that both countries have a complex history. RBI is present as a reciprocal step towards the Confucius Institute which has long been running in Indonesia,” Hamamah explained.
Hamamah also mentioned that the RBI managed by FCS UB is different from other RBI models which are usually under the management of the Indonesian Embassy. This is a U-to-U-based RBI initiation. Therefore, this RBI is located in universities in China whose function is also to support BIPA learning.
“We want the RBI to be an active center of activity that connects city governments in Indonesia with cities in China, creating sister cities, and introducing Indonesia’s cultural heritage more dynamically,” she added.
The Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, expressed his appreciation for UB’s initiative in developing RBI as a center for cultural diplomacy. He emphasized that the Ministry of Culture is ready to support the development of RBI UB, including establishing communication with the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing to expand its impact.
“We see this cultural diplomacy effort as a very strategic step. Universities have the flexibility to promote our culture abroad. We will have further discussions with the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing to make RBI bigger and more systematic,” he said.
The Minister of Culture also highlighted the importance of digital cultural adaptation in supporting cultural diplomacy in the modern era. According to him, the digitization of culture, animation, and video games can be part of the strategy to introduce Indonesia to the world.
“We must adapt to information and communication technology. Cultural digitization is something that cannot be avoided. Cultural heritage collections must also be available in digital format so that they can be accessed at any time by the global community,” he added.
UB’s Vice-Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Internationalization, Prof. Andi Kurniawan, S.Pi., M.Eng., D.Sc., emphasized that RBI UB is part of the flagship program to make UB a World-Class University. He explained that this program is in line with UB’s internationalization strategy which prioritizes soft diplomacy.
“RBI is an icon of UB internationalization. We want to bring UB to be better known in the world through this program. In addition, UB will also cooperate with 25 universities in China that have Indonesian language study programs and support BIPA competency tests as part of the strategy to strengthen cultural diplomacy,” he said.
Prof. Andi also added that cooperation with Tianjin Foreign Studies University and Peking University has opened up great opportunities for UB to collaborate in research and other academic programs in the field of language and culture.
“UB already has strategic cooperation with several universities in China, including Peking University. In addition to academics, we also want to develop collaborations involving UB’s strategic partners,” he explained.
With the support of the Ministry of Culture and various stakeholders, UB is optimistic that the RBI in China can become a successful model of cultural diplomacy and strengthen Indonesia’s role in the international arena.
“We hope that this initiative can expand Indonesia’s cultural cooperation network with other countries, and encourage a deeper cultural understanding between Indonesia and the world,” Hamamah concluded.
In addition to the Minister of Culture, the event was also attended by Dr. Gamal Albinsaid (Commission X DPR RI), Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkitri, S.IP., M.A., (Expert Staff of the Minister for Law and Cultural Policy), Rachmanda Primayuda, S.H., M.H. (Special Staff to the Minister for Protocol and Household Affairs), Basuki Teguh Yuwono, S.Sn., M.H. (Special Staff to the Minister for History and Cultural Heritage Protection), I Made Dharma Suteja, S.S., M.Si. (Director of Cultural Heritage), Endah Budi Heryani, S.S., M.M. (Head of Region XI Cultural Preservation Center).
While from UB, the event was attended by Prof. Dr. Ir. Imam Santoso, MP. (Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs), Prof. Andi Kurniawan, S.Pi., M.Eng., D.Sc. (Vice-Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Internationalization), Prof. Dr. Unti Ludigdo, SE, M.Si., Ak. (Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation), Hamamah, S.Pd., M.Pd., Ph.D. (Dean of FCS UB), Director of the UB Directorate of Cooperation, Vice-Deans of FCS UB, as well as lecturers and student representatives of FCS UB. [dts/PR FCS]
