Her Excellency Ramzia Diab-Ghanim, The Gambia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia and the Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN) on Saturday 20th October, 2018 addressed members of the African Students Association (ASAY) in the special region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia on the occasion of the 1st African cultural day.
The first- ever African cultural day was organized by the African Students Association (ASAY) in the city of Yogyakarta in collaboration with the Postgraduate School of the State University of Yogyakarta (UNY) under the theme: Effective Multicultural collaboration in strengthening Africa-Indonesia Partnership.
In her keynote statement, H.E Ramzia Diab extended her gratitude to the Director of the Postgraduate School of UNY and ASAY for inviting her to attend such a historic event.
She said the event is a laudable initiative underpinned by cultural understanding of peoples from different backgrounds who aspire to achieve a given goal of understanding and unity of diversity for the collective advancement in our relationships at academic insitutions, at work, in government, and in private organizations.
H.E Ramzia further called on ASAY to commit to undertaking an effective multicultural collaboration with an objective to strengthening Africa-Indonesia collaboration. She encouraged ASAY to continue to work as a team that will help to strengthen multilateral relationships between African countries and Indonesia that will go beyond university campuses.
In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr Marsigit, Director Postgraduate School of the State University of Yogyakarta expressed his delight in inviting the Ambassador to attend this historic event and reiterated the commitment of the Postgraduate towards a sustainable collaboration with the African Students Association. Professor Marsigit assured the Gambian High Commissioner of the resolve of the Postgraduate School to engage in constructive and meaningful initiatives with the Gambian High Commission.
In his remarks, Professor Dr. Sustrisna Wibawa, Rector of the State University of Yogyakarta spoke of his pleasure in hosting the Gambian High Commissioner as her presence to the event has underscored her exemplary leadership qualities. Professor Wibawa added that there is an increased number of African students pursuing various programs of study at UNY and reiterated the commitment of the State University of Yogyakarta to achieving academic excellence and assured ASAY for a fruitful collaboration.
Other speakers at the occasion included Mr. Kijambu John Baptist, Coordinator of ASAY, Tsshepiso Stanley Africa student from Botswana. The event was interspersed with a video streaming of participating countries and cultural performances about Africa to the delight of the audience.
The event was attended by Dr. Widyastuti Purbani, Vice rector of UNY, Dr. Sugito, deputy Director of the Postgraduate of UNY, representatives of the Universitas Atma Jaya, SD Islam Al Azhar, Pelangi Indonesia, invited Indonesian guests and African students from other Indonesian universities. The event was chaired by Modou Jonga, Gambian student at Universitas Gadjah Mada and Dobrin Bugov.
Issued by the Communication Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad