Taipei, April 18 (CNA) Universities from Taiwan and Indonesia signed a record 722 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) Wednesday to promote educational exchanges between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE). As part of a visit to Taiwan by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest independent Islamic organization in Indonesia, Haief Saha Ghafur, head of NU's central education committee, connected 25 universities that are members of the group with 40 local universities.

While very little was disclosed about the details of the MOUs, the MOE expressed its hope that they will allow for the cultivation of talent, the deepening of Taiwan-Indonesia ties, and the promotion of collaboration among higher education institutions on both sides.

According to Deputy Education Minister Yao Leeh-ter (姚立德), there are currently nearly 7,000 Indonesian nationals studying or doing research in Taiwan.

Yao said he is confident that the figure will continue to grow, as the government continues to push forward its New Southbound Policy, which consists of exchanges like the ones made possible by the MOUs.

A day earlier, the Taiwan-ASEAN Business Council and NU signed a memorandum of understanding to promote investment cooperation in industries such as intelligent farming and smart cities, and the development of medical and financial technologies.

(By Chen Chi-chong and Kuan-lin Liu)
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