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Enhancing People-to-People Cooperation between ASEAN and East Asia Countries through Counterparts: The Case of Indonesian Student in Paramitaningrum

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Empfohlene Zitierung / Suggested Citation: Paramitaningrum (2013). Enhancing People-to-People Cooperation between ASEAN and East Asia Countries through Counterparts: The Case of Indonesian Student in Taiwan. Journal of ASEAN Studies, 1(2), 164-175. https://nbn- resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-440482

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Paramitaningrum Tamkang University, Taiwan

Abstract Besides businessmen and workers, Indonesian students have become one of the recent important actors in - Taiwan bilateral relations. Currently, Taiwan became one of the popular destinations among Indonesians to pursue their highest degree. In 2013, the numbers of Indonesian students has reached 3000 persons, made them the third largest group of Southeast Asian students in Taiwan after Vietnamese and Malaysians. The Indonesian students are quite organized and active. Giving the lack of diplomatic relations between both countries, these students are potential to be one of the significant actors to bridge Indonesia - Taiwan relations. However, they have some limitations on conducting their activities. On the Taiwan side, this trend has not gained sufficient responds. Indonesia is still considered an unattractive object to study, comparing to other Southeast Asian countries. Therefore interaction tends to be one side only. This paper would discuss on (1) what the Indonesian students in Taiwan can do to maximize their capabilities to attract Taiwanese to learn more about Indonesia; (2) How the Taiwanese should respond to these trends, in order to create two ways of interaction. In that case, the counterparts are significant to bridge the limitations of mutual interaction between both states, especially to eliminate the unclear perceptions among Taiwanese to Indonesia, which might affect Indonesia – Taiwan bilateral relations, and to promote Indonesia in the better outlook.

Keywords: Soft Power, actor, Indonesian Students, people-to-people interaction, counterparts, Indonesia-Taiwan

Introduction Managing Potential Conflicts in the South Sea, and Council for Security Besides businessmen and workers, Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) are students have become one of the recent some examples of the multilateral forum important actors in enhancing cooperation which scholars from ASEAN countries can between ASEAN countries and their Pacific have interaction with their Asia Pacific neighbours. Interaction among students and counterparts, including Taiwan (Ku, 1998). scholars from both sides is getting common. Apart from that, several bilateral contacts Multiple channels of contacts facilitate between students and scholars from both interaction among students and scholars regions are getting intensive. from both sides. The workshops on

Journal of ASEAN Studies, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2013), pp. 164–175 ©2013 by CBDS Bina Nusantara University and Indonesian Association for International Relations ISSN 2338-1361 print / ISSN 2338-1353 electronic Journal of ASEAN Studies 165

Indonesian students have become one of Framework of analysis the recent important actors in Indonesia - Taiwan bilateral relations. In the past few Actors play a significant role in years Taiwan became one of the popular international relations. Traditionally, state is destinations among Indonesians to pursue always seen as the most important their higher degree. international relations actor. However, in The numbers of Indonesian students are the past two decades, the role of non-state around 3000 persons in 2013 and it made actors, including individual in international Indonesians as the third largest group of relations is increasingly important. Southeast Asian students in Taiwan after However, Papp (1988) argued that the role Vietnamese and Malaysians. Indonesian of individual in international relations is students are organised and active. There are often difficult to determine because of the several Indonesian students’ organizations, role that same individual may have head in which also promote Indonesian culture, in an organisation, agency, or in government Taiwan. participating in international affairs. Giving the lack of diplomatic relations Therefore, an individual can play role is between both countries, people-to-people because of its own personal capability or its interactions are the suitable way to bridge affiliation in certain institutions or both of Indonesia – Taiwan relations. These them. students are likely to be one of the ‘liaison Furthermore, Papp (1988) explained officers’ between both sides, although, they that other types of private individual also have some limitations on conducting contacts also play definite but un- their activities. documentable roles in international affairs, On the Taiwan side, this trend has not such as student exchanges, foreign teaching gained sufficient responds. Indonesia is still & research, long term job-related migration as an unattractive object to study, or permanent settlement, and similar comparing to Vietnam, the Philippines or activities all yield personal level interactions Malaysia. Very little Taiwanese scholars between citizens of different countries. and students learn about Indonesia. Individual can play diverse roles in Therefore interaction tends to be one side contemporary international affairs and also only. play major roles in transmission of culture This paper discusses on (1) what the and values. Individual can also involve in Indonesian students in Taiwan can do to policy formulation and implementation, maximize their capabilities to attract and even in economic affairs. The Taiwanese to learn more about Indonesia; Indonesian students are categorised as an (2) How the Taiwanese should respond to ‘individual actors’ of international relations, these trends, in order to create two ways of because they migrate to other countries, interaction. In that case, the counterparts interact with local people and other people from the Taiwan side are significant to from different countries. They also promote encourage the interaction process. Indonesian culture, in the place where they Therefore, it would strengthen people-to- stay. people relations in Indonesia – Taiwan Due to the lack of diplomatic relations relations. between Indonesia and Taiwan, the interactions between both countries are focused more on non-political issues, such as economic and social-culture. These states (both Indonesia and Taiwan) are still the 166 Enhancing People-to-People Cooperation main actors but both have limitation to do international relations somehow has not its function. As a result, non-state actors been enough, due to some limitations (e.g. also have to be involved. Indonesian national priorities, lack of diplomatic students, with other non-state actors, such relations). Therefore another official as Indonesian workers, Indonesian spouses mechanism to back up the interaction, who and Indonesian businessmen are expected involves non-state actors, is needed. to support state actors on doing such Currently, such interactions which relations. Apart from economic activities, involve state and non-state actors are social-cultural activities are the supporting common. In this paper, Indonesian students component, which facilitates people-to- and their efforts on promoting Indonesia people interaction. can be categorised as soft power because Furthermore, when people-to-people they represent Indonesia and try to make interaction is implemented, the soft power other people feel attracted and would like to is also applied. Soft power is the ability to get to know more about Indonesia for the get what you want through attraction sake of those people’ interests. These rather than coercion or payments. It arises students are categorised as the non-state from the attractiveness of a country's actors because they are considered as non- culture, political ideals, and policies (Nye, sovereign entities that exercise significant 2004). Nye further added “When our economic, political, or social power and policies are seen as legitimate in the eyes of influence at a national, and in some cases others, our soft power is enhanced". The international level.1 These students soft power of a country depends on three represent Indonesia but they are ordinary resources: its culture (in places where it is citizen, not government officials. Therefore, attractive to others), its political values they are more flexible on having interaction (when it lives up to them at home and with people across border, refers to Josselin abroad), and its foreign policies (when they and Wallace said that the non-state actors are seen as legitimate and having moral are not fully autonomous from central authority). Therefore, people from a government funding and control, but they particular country promote their soft power are participating in networks which extend in their interaction with people from other across the boundaries of two or more states countries. Through social and cultural –thus engaging in ‘transnational’ relations activities, they introduce their own values (Josselin and Wallace, 2001). through their culture, attitude and Being young scholars in a foreign performance. In the level of state-to-state country, these students are also concerned relations, a country will do the same like the about how to improve Indonesia to be a ordinary people do, but their action is better country and shared their thoughts described through its foreign policy and its through internal and external academic stance on international affairs. forums. There are two main frameworks Soft power would call of people’s through which the world of scholars attention if the ideas are unique and intersects with the world of policy which adjustable with to the prevailing global can accommodate them. The first is norms (for instance multiculturalism and “epistemic communities,” which is a pluralism). Besides, the multiple channel of network of professionals with recognised communication is significant to deliver the ideas. For that reason, state and non-state 1 actors should work together. Meanwhile, “Non-State Actors: Impact on International Relations and Implications for the United States,” accessed at the interaction between states actors in http://www.fas.org/irp/nic/nonstate_actors_2007.pdf Journal of ASEAN Studies 167 expertise and competence in a particular Despite of such differences, the epistemic domain and an authoritative claim to community’ opinion will still be policy-relevant knowledge within that acknowledged publicly. domain or issue-area. (Haas, 1998). The professionals may be from a variety of discipline and backgrounds but are bound A brief overview about Indonesia by shared normative and causal beliefs, shared notions of validating knowledge Indonesia is an emerging regional claims, and “a set of problems to which power, which has attractive physical and their professional competence is directed, non-physical modalities. The Republic of presumably out of the conviction that Indonesia is the largest archipelagic state in human welfare will be enhanced as a the world, located in Southeast Asia. Its size consequence.” is 1.919.440 square kilometres. Indonesia is The second is “track-two dialogue” situated in the equator between the Asian which means “unofficial policy dialogues and Australian continents and between the focused on problem solving in which the Pacific and Indian Oceans. participants have some form of access to Indonesia consists of 18,000 islands with official policymaking circles” (Kaye, 2007). population around 251,160,124 million. 2 Wanandi further added that track two This made Indonesia the fourth largest involves the participation of government populated country in the world, after officials in a private capacity, a principle China, and the USA in 2012.3 These that supposedly allows for free discussion facts made Indonesia as one of the and flexibility (Wanandi, 1995). Acharya significant countries in Southeast Asia also explained how epistemic communities because its population is almost half of total and track-two forums may impact on ASEAN population. policy. The first is through policy innovation, Indonesia is an emerging economic or generation of new policy ideas. The powerhouse in Southeast Asia. Economic second is the “constitutive localisation”, annual growth rate is about 6.23 %, little bit whereby local actors proactively build lower than in 2011, which reached 6.5%.4 congruence between global norms and pre- Indonesian per capita GDP has reached $ existing local ideas and practices. As part of 3495 (2011). 5 It is reported that Indonesia this, they may serve as “filtering” has 45 million members of the consuming mechanism for approaches to cooperation class, 55 million skilled workers, and $0.5 developed in other parts of the world so as trillion market opportunity in consumer to make them locally applicable. Thirdly, services, agriculture and fisheries, epistemic communities and track-two resources, and education (McKinsey, 2012). dialogues also serve as platforms for It is also understandable because around validation and legitimization of the ideas 42.2% of Indonesian population is in the and policies of governments. Fourthly, they can generate dissent; which while not be to 2Based on the estimation of CIA the World Fact book (July the liking of policymakers, alerts them to 2013), retrieved in alternative ideas and approaches out there https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- in terms of which their own preferences will factbook/geos/id.html 3 http://www.indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?v=21&t=20 be benchmarked and assessed (Acharya, 4 Indonesia's Economic Growth Slows, The Wall Street 2011). The epistemic community may have Journal, February 5, 2013, accessed in different opinion and stance with the http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142412788732444590457 8285081322220700.html policymakers, and both sides recognise it. 5 http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD 168 Enhancing People-to-People Cooperation productive age (25-54 years).6 That means posture. Such abovementioned modalities Indonesia is developing its capacity to and achievements made Indonesia have strengthen its position as an emerging enough capacity to raise its soft powers. power. Those two abovementioned events were Furthermore, Indonesia’ long process organised by Indonesian Ministry of development to be a democratic country is Foreign Affairs. This institution so far is the remarkable. In the level of state-to-state main actor to promote Indonesian soft interaction, the participation in ASEAN, power. Since 2002, the Ministry of Foreign East Asian Summit (EAS) and G-20 forum is Affairs had internal reform program and good indicator to show that Indonesia is an adjust its foreign policy machinery, in order active player. In other words, Indonesia to meet the new challenges in Indonesia prefers to work together, instead of being a post-authoritarian government. solo player. Nevertheless, not all After Indonesia had transformation Indonesians enjoyed their countries from authoritarian to democratic achievements. Non-state actors have not government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs been more involved, since the opportunities started to hold several events to invite non- are still limited. state actors. These are aimed to gain some After Indonesia had political turbulence valuable input for Indonesian foreign policy in 1998, the domestic condition is changed. strategy. Indonesia encountered a transition from an In addition to that, Indonesia has authoritarian to the democratic country. tremendous numbers of human resources to Within a democratic order, state is still an promote its soft power. The biggest number important actor but non-state actors started of Indonesian population is in the to play important role in the Indonesia productive age (25-54 years old). Some of political arena. This means people them live in the foreign countries, as aspiration and views can be no longer being students, foreign workers, and immigrant ignored. Therefore Indonesian foreign spouses. The number of Indonesians policy should be re-formulated also to studying abroad is between to 40.000 to accommodate such condition. 50.000 (British Council 2010).7 Australia, According to Sukma (2011), the U.S, the UK and Singapore were the most confluence of democracy & moderate Islam desirable destination for Indonesians. – described as assets of foreign policy and They have several reasons to study construed as key elements of soft power – abroad such as gaining the better education has become an important element of environment, increasing the horizon, the Indonesia’s foreign policy and public future jobs opportunities, improving diplomacy since 2002. However, he also foreign language skills, and train the recommends these two things (democracy personal maturity and independence. and moderate Islam) should be better Recently, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and constructed to be the value to create Taiwan become the popular destination to Indonesia’s image in the world. Although it study, because of those abovementioned has not been completely perfect, Indonesia reasons, the quality of education in such is seen as a role model for building democracy and pluralism. Bali Democracy 7 http://www.britishcouncil.org/eumd-information- background-indonesia.htm. Also see, “Vice Minister of Forum and The Interfaith Dialogue Forum National Education, Fasli Jalal, said now the number of help Indonesia to project its international Indonesian students abroad reached 40,000 people,” Seputar Indonesia, 19 January 2010, http://www.seputar- 6 Ibid indonesia.com/edisicetak/content/view/298794/1/ Journal of ASEAN Studies 169 countries, and the geographical location. In addition to that, Taiwan government has addition to that, those countries also bilateral Memorandum of Understanding provide scholarships for International (MOU) with the Government of Aceh students. This is also another triggering Province, to give scholarships for a number factor to attract Indonesians study to study of Indonesian students from Aceh to study there. postgraduate in Taiwan. Meanwhile, several universities in Taiwan also pro- actively recruit students from several Indonesian students in Taiwan universities in Indonesia. As a result, several Indonesian Taiwan is an interesting case study. universities now also have several kinds of Since there is no diplomatic relations with cooperation with universities in Taiwan, Indonesia, the relation between both sides is such as offering double degree and focused more on non-political issues. Trade sandwich programme.9 In addition to that is the main activities, followed by Taiwan Higher Education Fair is annually cooperation in the field of economy, held in several big cities in Indonesia. In agricultural, health and education. Besides 2011, Taiwan Education Center (TEC) is Indonesian businessmen and workers, established in Surabaya, East Java.10 Indonesian students also become one of the Recently, Indonesian Ministry of recent important actors in Indonesia – Education also provided many kinds Taiwan bilateral relations. scholarships for Indonesian teaching staffs As it is seen in the table 1, the numbers to pursue their higher academic degree of Indonesian students are increasing in the abroad and some of them also choose past few years. The table shows that until Taiwan.11 Here, interactions between both 2012, Indonesians are the third largest countries are increasing to enhance group of foreigners studying in Taiwan cooperation on education sector. after Vietnamese and Malaysians. The Indonesian students in Taiwan are consisted of the students of Mandarin language programs and non-language programs or degree seeking programmes (undergraduate and graduate level). The non-language program students are mostly majoring in engineering, technology and businesses management. Recently, http://english.moe.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=6798&CtNode=1063 2&mp=1 studying in Taiwan becomes much more 9 National Taiwan University of Science and technology popular, since Taiwan government offered (NTUST) and National Pingtung University of Science and several kinds of scholarships for Technology (NPUST) are one of Taiwan universities have double degree program with University of Brawijaya in International students since 2004.8 In Malang and Institute of Technology Sepuluh November (ITS) in Surabaya. Both Brawijaya and ITS are located in East Java, Indonesia. 10 TEC is a non-profit organisation, funded by Taiwan 8 Five government agencies (Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Education and aimed to promote higher Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Economic education in Taiwan and strengthen bilateral academic Affairs (MOEA), National Science Council of the Executive exchange between Taiwan and Indonesia. TEC Official Yuan (NSC) and ICDF (International Cooperation and Website “About TEC” Retrieved in February 14th 2014 from Development Fund) ---have jointly established the http://portal.tecindonesia.com/?page_id=13&lang=en. Scholarship Program of Taiwan to encourage outstanding 11 This scholarship program is managed under Program international students to undertake degree programs in Beasiswa DIKTI or the Directorate of Higher Education’ Taiwan. See Scholarship Program 170 Enhancing People-to-People Cooperation

Table 1 Number of ASEAN Student in Taiwan Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Country Brunei ------Darussalam Cambodia 24 14 6 8 - - Indonesia 2281 2275 2274 2472 2723 3200 Laos ------Malaysia 1001 1560 1961 2286 - - Myanmar/Bu 47 33 17 17 - - rma Philippines 302 313 292 336 - - Singapore 67 103 99 102 - - Thailand 549 637 760 848 - - Vietnam 1779 2592 3282 3687 - - Sources: from various sources

Besides scholarships offers, there some This organization aimed to help other factors influence Indonesian to choose Indonesian students to gain and exchange Taiwan to be their study destination: (1) information about studying and living in Taiwan is only a short distance from Taiwan and to facilitate Indonesian students Indonesia; (2) Taiwan expertise on science to get together. The establishment of and technology also can meet Indonesians PERPITA also obtained support from 僑委 lack of competence; (3) Taiwan also 會 or Organization of Overseas Compatriot becomes a favourite place for Indonesians Affairs Commission (OCAC) and 印尼歸僑 who wants to improve their Mandarin 協會 (Indonesian Overseas Chinese language skills. Those factors, categorised Association). Until the year 2001, the as ‘push and pull’ factors by Mazzarol and memberships of PERPITA reached to 800 Soutar (2002), attracted Indonesian students students. and increased the number of them in FORMMIT (Forum Mahasiswa Muslim Taiwan. Indonesia di Taiwan) or Indonesian Moslem Student Forum in Taiwan (台灣印尼學生穆 Indonesian Students organisations in 斯林論壇) is established in 2006 in Taiwan Taichung. It is aimed to maintain relationships between Indonesian Muslim There are three Indonesian students’ students in Taiwan and to become a forum organizations: PERPITA, FORMMIT, and of gaining and exchanging skills and PPI-Taiwan. PERPITA (台灣印尼僑生聯誼會 experiences among Indonesian Moslem ) is an abbreviation from Persatuan Pelajar students. Indonesia di Taiwan. It was established in The number of FORMMIT members 1960 in National Cheng Kung University roughly is 130 students, spread out from (NCKU) with 35 members. Northern to the Southern of Taiwan. Journal of ASEAN Studies 171

FORMMIT has regular and special these partnerships such as giving some activities. Regular activities are mostly support to several PPI in the university concentrated to the religious activities, such level, which held Indonesian Cultural as reciting Al Qur’an together and listening Events, or academic conferences, and they to religious lecture by a cleric. But work together on making a serial ‘Lentera FORRMIT members also has special Ide’, about the life of Indonesian students or programmes, such as teaching some skills non-students in Taiwan. PPI Taiwan also such as Computer and Basic accounting, has some other related student activities.13 conducting workshop on entrepreneurships One of their latest and current activities for Indonesian workers, and having a is to cooperate with Indonesian Economic regular scientific discussion about the and Trade Office in , to run Taiwan current issues with Indonesian and branch of Indonesia Open University Taiwanese experts. (Universitas Terbuka – Taiwan or UT- FORMMIT also have an annual special Taiwan). This university was opened in activity, the Annual Indonesian Scholars 2011 in Taipei. Conference in Taiwan (AISCT). It had been Currently, Universitas Terbuka - Taiwan held three times, and had various topics has about 100 students, who are mostly from economic, agriculture and information Indonesian workers in Taiwan, tutored by and communication technology. AISCT was Indonesian students, who are pursuing attended by Indonesian scholars from their graduate studies in Taiwan. Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and the Previously, Universitas Terbuka already had Indonesian students in Taiwan. opened its branches in Saudi Arabia, PPI Taiwan (Perhimpunan Pelajar Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Indonesia di Taiwan - 台灣印尼學生聯合會) Korea. or Indonesian Student Association in In April 2012, The First Taiwan – Taiwan is established in the 2nd of May Indonesia Higher Education Summit was 2010, in the commemoration of Indonesian held in Taipei. This is the second high level National Education Day, in Chung Yuan meeting between Indonesia and Taiwan to Christian University, Chungli. This discuss about education. The first one was organization is also aimed to gather held in Bali in 2011, while Indonesia and Indonesian students in Taiwan and to play Taiwan signed An Agreement of some role on developing Indonesian human Cooperation in the Field of Higher resources by encouraging Indonesian Education. students to study and to learn some skills, Under this umbrella agreement, the to develop their personal capacity. cooperation between both countries are PPI Taiwan mostly cooperates with enhanced in several items, such as other PPI in the university levels, when scholarships programme, academic matters these organizations conducted some (double degree, credit transfers, bridging activities.12 There are some examples of programmes for Indonesians, who will attend PhD programme in Taiwan) and

12 Several universities in Taiwan, which has around 15-300 research collaboration. The last Taiwan – students, such as National Taiwan University of Science and Indonesia Higher Education Summit in Bali Technology (NTUST), National Cheng Chi University (NCCU), National Cheng-Kung University (NCKU), National Central University (NCU), National Dong Hwa their school. These organisations are affiliated with PPI University (NDHU), National Pingtung University of Taiwan. Science and Technology (NPUST), Chung Yuan Christian 13 One of the example is helping and coordinating University (CYCU), Chinese Culture University (CCU), Asia Indonesian students to buy flight ticket to go back to University, established Indonesian Student Association in Indonesia, 172 Enhancing People-to-People Cooperation in 2013 concluded that both sides agree to not supposed to do other works which are establish networks.14 not related to their study. If they want to do All those abovementioned examples other work, they should meet some show that Indonesian students are quite requirements, such as providing a proof active. Besides studying, the Indonesian that they are currently not Taiwan students’ activities also prove that they scholarships recipients and having a work made positive contribution to their fellow permit for foreign students. Based on such Indonesians. These students are concerned limitations, these Indonesian students are on how to make use of their knowledge and not able to allocate their time and living experience in Taiwan and how those commitment professionally to promote things can be applicable in Indonesia. Indonesian culture within their During their interaction with the Taiwanese environments. people, they promote Indonesian multi- At the same time, Indonesian Economic ethnic culture, Indonesian language, and Trade Office in Taipei (IETO) or Kantor attitudes and values. Dagang and Ekonomi Indonesia di Taipei As a result, the Taiwanese are better (KDEI – Taipei), also have limitations to informed that Indonesia is not only big in promote Indonesia. IETO/KDEI, which also term of size but also its population. They becomes an Indonesian representative office know that Indonesia has many more islands in Taiwan, does not have a special official, instead of Bali, and many ethnic groups. who is fully responsible for information and Therefore, Indonesian culture is very rich, cultural affairs. Therefore they also could in terms of arts, food, outfit, and customs. not do their function completely. From the Some Indonesian students teach Indonesian government side, Indonesia has not been language (Bahasa Indonesia), formally or able to raise its high profile in Taiwan on informally, to their friends or their cultural affairs. professors. They wear Batik and other On the Taiwan side, this recent Indonesian traditional outfits in several development on Indonesian students has occasions. Gradually, these students not gained sufficient responds. Indonesia promote Indonesian language and culture has being seen as an unattractive object to to the Taiwanese society. study, comparing to Vietnam, Philippines Despite of their good achievements on or Malaysia. There are still small numbers promoting Indonesia, these Indonesian of research about Indonesia done by students have limitations. The first is time Taiwanese scholars, and only few constraint. As a student, they have to Taiwanese scholars understand Indonesia prioritise studying and other related works. and its complexities. As a result they only have limited time In Taiwan, there are only two to do some other things. Secondly is status universities has a graduate school of constraint. Most of Indonesian students are Southeast Asian Studies , but they do scholarship recipients. Therefore, they are limited study on Indonesia.15 In other words, Indonesia is still a marginalised study object among students and scholars in 14第2屆臺灣印尼高等教育論壇與臺灣高等教育展成果豐碩 (The 2nd Taiwan and Indonesia Higher Education Summit Taiwan universities. and the Taiwan Higher Education are Fruitful). Retrieved in http://www.edu.tw/pages/detail.aspx?Node=1088&Page=214 15 There are two Taiwan universities which has a Graduate 04&wid=409cab38-69fe-4a61-ad3a-5d32a88deb5d&Index=1 School of Southeast Asian Studies: National Chi Nan University (a state university) and Tamkang University (a private university). In Tamkang University, Southeast Asian Studies is a sub-division of the Institute of Asian Studies. Journal of ASEAN Studies 173

In general, there is still lack of Indonesian workers are much more fluent comprehensive information about in speaking Chinese and even Taiwanese, Indonesia among Taiwanese, as it is this problem may affect the Indonesian explained by the Head of Taipei Economic students’ daily interaction with the local and Trade Office (TETO), Ambassador . As a result, this barrier Andrew Hsia.16 He explained that only a may affect the students’ efforts to promote few Taiwanese knows that Indonesia now is Indonesian culture and to have access to the a democratic country with good political local community to do such things. and social stability. But most of them still tend to think that Indonesia as a part of Bali Island and/or as a migrant workers Some initiatives to promote people-to- exporting country. This kind of perception people interaction and their partial understanding made Indonesia a less important country, in However, there are some breakthroughs Taiwan, compared to other Southeast Asian by some Taiwanese academicians in order countries. to manage such abovementioned obstacles. Furthermore, Taiwan government is still Firstly, there are two annual conferences lack of approach on how to engage which have a special panel on Indonesian Indonesian students, in the professional development. First panel is held in the way, such as how to make use of these Annual Conference of Taiwan Association students availability in Taiwan and how to of Southeast Asian Studies (TASEAS) at the accommodate their skills, knowledge and each of 2012 and 2013. expertise to enrich Taiwanese The panel, initiated by Prof. Ching-lung understanding about Indonesia. Indonesian Tsay from Institute of Asian Studies, students, like other International students Tamkang University, discusses about are still viewed only as a scholarship Indonesian development. Second panel recipient although some of them have been about Indonesia is held in International working as a professional in their field. If Conference on Asia Pacific Studies (ICAPS) Taiwan government is aware of the potency in National Sun Yat Sen University at the of Indonesian students, their presence can each of 2012 and 2013.17 be a bridge between Taiwan and Indonesia Several Indonesian young scholars were relations. invited to join those panels, which are Language barrier probably becomes the aimed to promote Indonesia as one of main obstacles for the Indonesian students appealing object to study and to build to mingle with the locals. Most of them collaboration between Taiwanese and have limited skills on Chinese language, Indonesian scholars. except the ones, who study Chinese Secondly, since September 2013, language. At the same time, most Institute of Asian Studies, Tamkang Taiwanese people still have strong tendency University offers a course, “The Rise of to think that all foreigners should have Indonesian Economy and its implications ability to speak and read Chinese, when for Taiwan and Japan.” The main idea of they are in Taiwan. Given the fact that this course is to the study the Master Plan Percepatan, Perluasan, dan Pembangunan

16 “Taiwan and Indonesia to Enhance Economic Relations”, The President Post, March, 02, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013 17 For information about International Conference on Asia from http://www.thepresidentpost.com/2012/03/02/taiwan- Pacific Studies, 2012 and 2013, in National Sun Yat Sen and-indonesia-to-enhance-economic-relations/. University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, can be seen in http://icaps.nsysu.edu.tw/files/11-1122-7648.php 174 Enhancing People-to-People Cooperation

Ekonomi Indonesia or MP3EI (the Master Refers to the previous explanation about Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of epistemic community and second track Economic Development of Indonesia) and diplomacy, this ‘counterpart forum or the rise of Indonesian Economy and how association’ can support the current these phenomenon implies Taiwan and activities of 2nd track dialogue and epistemic Japan. Initiated by Prof. Ching-lung Tsay community between Indonesian and (Institute of Asian Studies, Tamkang Taiwan, if any. University), this is the first formal Since epistemic community and 2nd intellectual forum in Taiwan for expert track dialogue usually has privileges to the lecturing, class discussions and professional government access, the ‘counterpart forum interactions among Taiwanese and or association’ can be invited to be involved Indonesian specialists on specific issues of in the decision making policy. It is expected Indonesian economic development. that their contribution can improve Taiwanese and Indonesian students Indonesia – Taiwan bilateral relations. took this course. They are taught by Prof Ching-lung Tsay and other Taiwanese Conclusion senior and junior scholars, and some Giving the lack of diplomatic relations Indonesian experts. The two panels in between Indonesia and Taiwan, both TASEAS and this course are under the countries should be creative to minimize Program Collaboration between Indonesia this gap. People-to-people interaction is the and Taiwan (The CINTA Program). This suitable way to bridge Indonesia – Taiwan initiative is also aimed to promote mutual relations. In this case, the state actors on interaction among scholars and both sides have some limitations to do the professionals from Taiwan and Indonesia. function as normal bilateral relations Those above-mentioned case studies always work. showed that each side works step by step to Therefore, state actors should give use soft power to establish epistemic significant support to people-to-people community for Indonesian studies. interaction and facilitate them. Indonesia However, it will be much better if such should assign an official who is fully in activities done by Indonesian and charge on culture and education affairs in Taiwanese scholars received proportional IETO/KDEI, to help Indonesian students attention from the Taiwan side. Establishing and scholars efforts to have interaction with a so-called a counterpart from the Taiwan their Taiwanese counterparts, and to side, to accommodate will be a good step. establish an epistemic community between This counterpart can be in the form of both countries. Taiwan government is forum or association, who works on strongly suggested to do similar one. Indonesian issues. Any Taiwanese, either Furthermore, Indonesian students are they are students, academician, potential to bridge Indonesia - Taiwan businessmen, artists, or ordinary people, relations. Although their number is much which have any interests about Indonesia smaller than Indonesian workers18, they are and Indonesia – Taiwan relations, can join potential to help raising Indonesian soft this forum or association. They can share power. Education became a media to share their knowledge and experience each other.

This forum or association would be the 18 The number of Indonesian workers in Taiwan reached bridge between Indonesia and Taiwan and 205.213 (2013). These workers mostly work as a caregivers support Indonesian – Taiwan relations. and fishermen. It made Indonesia as the biggest Southeast Asian migrant sending country in Taiwan (44% among total number of Southeast Asian migrant workers in Taiwan). Journal of ASEAN Studies 175 and exchange their knowledge, skills and References experience with the Taiwanese local people in their school and place to stay, and to Acharya, A. (2011). Engagement or mingle with them. Entrapment? Scholarship and Policymaking Although, it has not gained enough on Asian Regionalism. International Studies response from Taiwanese society, Review, 13: 12-17 Indonesian students send a message to CIA the World Fact book (July 2013). Taiwanese society about their positive Retrieved in February 11, 2014 from achievements and help Taiwanese society to https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/th understand more about Indonesia and the e-world-factbook/geos/id.html diversity of Southeast Asia. These Haas, P.(1992). Epistemic Communities interactions rely on the students’ self- and International Policy Coordination, potential and it creates an opportunity to International Organization, 46: 3 expand the networking among them. Josselin, D & Wallace, W. (eds.). (2001). These are useful for the students will be Non-State in World Politics, Hampshire: the professionals in their own fields and Palgrave. p.3-4 become the future leaders of Indonesia. This Ku, Samuel C.Y. (1998). Taiwan’s kind of interaction is less politically Diplomatic Maneuvers in the Asia Pacific: A constrained then it should be more perspective of Complex Interdependence, enhanced. Issues and Studies 34 (6) 80-97 In sum, Indonesia and Taiwan still Mazzarol, Tim & Geoffrey N. Soutar. needs to work hard to maximise their (2002). “Push-pull” factors international bilateral interaction. The good strategy and student destination choice, The International collaboration between state and non-state Journal of Educational Management, 16 (2): 82- actors in both sides still needs to be 90 improved. Joseph S. Nye, Jr. (2004). Soft Power: The Here the ‘counterpart forum or Means to success in World Politics, New York: association’ is significant to bridge the Public Affairs. limitations of bilateral interaction between Kaye, Dalia Dassa. (2007). Talking to the both states, especially to eliminate the Enemy: Track Two Diplomacy in the Middle unclear perceptions among Taiwanese to East and South Asia. Arlington. VA: RAND Indonesia, which might affect Indonesia – Corporation. Taiwan bilateral relations, and to promote Papp, Daniel S. (1988). Contemporary Indonesia in the better outlook. International Relations: Framework for Understanding, 2nd Edition. London: Macmillan Publishing Company. P. 93-95 About the Author Sukma, Rizal. (2011). Soft Power and Public Diplomacy: The Case of Indonesia. in Paramitaningrum is a PhD Candidate at the Jan Melissen and Sook Jong Lee (eds), Graduate Institute of European Studies, Public Diplomacy and Soft Power in East Asia, Tamkang University, Tamsui, Taiwan. She is New York: Palgrave-Macmillan. one of the recipients of the Taiwan Scholarships Wanandi, Jusuf. (1995). The Regional from Taiwan Ministry of Education in 2008. She Role of “Track Two” Diplomacy: ASEAN, can be contacted at [email protected]. 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Retrieved November, 27, 2013 from http://www.oia.ntust.edu.tw/files/14-1017- 38060,r553-1.php 第2屆臺灣印尼高等教育論壇與臺灣高等 教育展成果豐碩 (The 2nd Taiwan and Indonesia Higher Education Summit and the Taiwan Higher Education are Fruitful). Retrieved November 27, 2013 from http://www.edu.tw/pages/detail.aspx?Node =1088&Page=21404&wid=409cab38-69fe- 4a61-ad3a-5d32a88deb5d&Index=1 “Taiwan and Indonesia to Enhance Economic Relations”, The President Post, March, 02, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013 from http://www.thepresidentpost.com/2012/03/0 2/taiwan-and-indonesia-to-enhance- economic-relations/. http://formmit.org/main-menu/about- formmit.html http://www.indexmundi.com/g/r.aspx?v =21&t=20 http://perpita.freeinterchange.org/zh_tw /about1-02.htm