Jakarta. Indonesia is stepping up its campus diplomacy in Canada as the Southeast Asian country pursues stronger education cooperation.

Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Muhsin Syihab recently visited some of the top universities in the country's eastern part, namely McGill University in Montréal and Québec's Université Laval. The trip also took place not long after President Prabowo Subianto and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's bilateral talks in late September.

McGill University already has an existing partnership with Indonesia via its Institute of Islamic Studies. Three of Indonesia's religious affairs ministers -- HM Rasjidi (January-October 1946), Mukti Ali (1971-1978), Nasaruddin Umar (incumbent) -- studied at McGill University.

At McGill, Muhsin met with the university's president, Deep Saini, Provost Christopher P Manfredi, dan Vice President for Global Engagement Anja Geitmann. The visit zeroed in on the opportunity for an academic and research collaboration.

"McGill is not just a partner, but a part of Indonesia's intellectual history. Three of the alumni have become our country's religious affairs minister. We encourage the revitalization of McGill University's relationship with relevant parties in Indonesia," Muhsin was quoted as saying in a press statement.

The university responded positively to the offer. 

"Indonesia is an important and priority country for McGill in its efforts to expand global cooperation. Representatives from McGill will visit Indonesia in the near future," said Deep.

Provost Christopher will even make a return visit to Jakarta to explore collaboration, including with the Foreign Affairs Ministry's policy strategy agency.

Muhsin also met with Khalid M Medani, the director of IIS. The envoy also saw the expansive book collections at the IIS Library, which included Indonesian publications.  

"IIS needs to empower its alumni in Indonesia to strengthen collaboration with various parties in Indonesia, considering that many of the institute's alumni currently hold strategic positions in Indonesia," Muhsin said.

Khalid expressed IIS' interest in signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with other universities and institutions in Indonesia. The framework of such an agreement is expected to regulate important matters, including scholarships, academic seminars, joint program development, and interfaculty visits.

The institute also highlighted the need for experts in Southeast Asian Islam. This is a field that Indonesia excels in. Not only does it fit the geographical category, but Indonesia is also the world's largest Muslim-majority country.

The topuniversities.com website puts McGill University in the 27th place globally, and the first in Canada. McGill currently has two MoUs with the University of Indonesia and the health center RSAB Harapan Kita.

The Research Center for Food and Energy Security
At Laval, Muhsid met with Vice Rector of International Affairs and Sustainability François Gélineau. Hendra Hermawan, an Indonesian lecturer at the Faculty of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials, also joined the meeting.

Université Laval is a leading French-language university in North America, focusing on environmental, health, and social science research in Canada, with a history dating back more than 300 years.

"Indonesia and Canada have many similarities, both in terms of potential and interests. The academic community, particularly Université Laval, plays a vital role in benefiting from these shared interests. Academic relations are a long-term investment in mutual understanding between nations," Muhsin said.

Laval also showed interest in exploring MoUs for student exchange programs and joint research.

Some potential areas for collaboration include food security, energy security, and research related to Indo-Pacific regional issues. Laval excels in food studies, encompassing the entire food production cycle -- under the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences and the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF).

"Université Laval is the only university in Canada with this expertise," François said.

Laval is currently building an innovation center for hydropower to develop a new generation of hydro turbines, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Québec. With an area of ​​approximately 1.5 million square kilometers, or thrice the size of Kalimantan, the Province of Québec meets 99 percent of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources, namely hydro (94 percent) and wind (5 percent). This expertise can help Indonesia boost its renewable energy shares to more than 30 percent by 2034.

"I note positively and appreciate the establishment of the Center for Indo-Pacific Regional Studies (la Chaire de Recherche en Études Indo-Pacifics) in 2022. This center can be a driving force in encouraging further cooperation between Laval and potential partners in Indonesia," Muhsin said.

The Indo-Pacific region holds global significance, home to approximately 40 countries, 65% of the world's population, and 50% of the global economy by 2040.