Jakarta (Indonesia Window) - Pancasila University in Jakarta and University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, has agreed to establish cooperation in the field of law.

The agreement was explained at a meeting between the Director of the International Office of Pancasila University, Prof. Dr. Eddy Pratomo, and Dean of the UNSW Law School, Prof. George Williams AO at the latter’s campus on Monday (11/25), according to a statement from the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney received by Indonesia Window here on Wednesday.

Consul Zani Murnia and Consul Hermanus Dimara from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) Sydney accompanied Prof. Pratomo in the meeting.

"Pancasila University has been accredited A and currently continues to develop itself, one of which is through the cooperation of u to u (university to university) with the best overseas universities," said Prof. Pratomo.

The professor, who is also a senior Indonesian diplomat, said that the UNSW Law School is the 14th best in the world.

"Some issues in the field of law that are important to Indonesia include law of the sea, law of human rights, and law of diplomacy,"  Prof. Pratomo said.

Meanwhile, Prof. William and Associate Professor Gabriella Appleby and Associate Professor Melissa Crouch who attended the meeting with the University of Pancasila appreciated the cooperation initiative.

"The UNSW Law School is highly committed to expanding cooperation with regional tertiary institutions, especially with Indonesia, which is a close neighbour and close friend of Australia. We welcome and are ready to build cooperation with Pancasila University," said Prof. William

Scientific activities, such as seminars and workshops involving academicians from Pancasila University and the University of New South Wales will be the first step in cooperation between the two universities.

"The initial measure which is concrete is to mutually invite academicians to be speakers at seminars or workshops in the field of law that will be held by each institution. After this initial measure, both parties can step in to formalize cooperation through a memorandum of understanding or other forms," said Associate Professor Appleby, who handles international cooperation at the UNSW Law School.

The u to u cooperation is in line with the people to people connection pillar listed in the document of a comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and Australia.

The document was declared by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Australia in August 2018 in Bogor, West Java.

Reporting by Indonesia Window