Being a diplomat is a dream of most international relations students. Broad knowledge, experiences, and endeavor are essential assets to become a diplomat. Indeed, a diplomat should comprehend foreign policies.

To introduce the foreign policies, Department of International Relations of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) collaborating with Center for Education and Training of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia conducted a Diplomatic Session on Saturday (18/11). Invited as speakers were diplomats of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership NAASP) from six countries, namely Zimbabwe, Brunei Darussalam, Colombia Lesotho, Libya, and Myanmar.

The six representatives were Ms. Tihaku Bohloeki Morojele from Lesotho, Mr. Wisam Ali Omar Al-Kakali from Libya, Ms. Ohn Mar Oo from Myanmar, Marjorie Andrea Gonzales Remirez, from Colombia, Ms. Nur Afiqah Binti Boestaman from Brunei Darussalam, and Mr. Wordsworth Chinenere from Zimbabwe.

In his remark, Head of the Center for Education and Training of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Indonesia H. E. Eko Hartono stated that it was an honor to cooperate with Department of International Relations of UMY. “Unfortunately, a representative of Zimbabwe cannot come. This is the first collaboration between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UMY to organize this session. Thus, I expected that this session enables students gain a lot of knowledge from the NAAPS representatives,” he expressed. In the session, H.E. Eko came with young diplomats to motivate students.

Besides, Department Head of International Relations of UMY Dr. Nur Azizah, M.Si. advised students to leverage the session to obtain a lot of information. “I wish that students could be active in this discussion session,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Ir. Sukamta, M.T., IPM. thanked the party of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the willingness to hold the diplomatic session with UMY. “It is an honor to be entrusted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to carry out a program of the NAASP with UMY. I hope that Ministry of Foreign Affairs would cooperate with UMY to perform other programs,” he declared.