Jakarta-wapresri.go.id Vice President Jusuf Kalla received Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Turkish Maarif Foundation Birol Akgun at the Vice Presidential Palace on Jalan Merdeka Selatan, on Wednesday (Dec.21).

Mr. Akgun explained that the Maarif Foundation was founded by the Turkish Parliament in June 2016 to provide educational services abroad, from pre-school to universities. In addition, he continued, the foundation will also provide training in the fields of art, culture, sports, as well as educational facilities necessary such as laboratories and dormitories for students.

“Maarif Foundation will be working with interested countries, either with the government, private sector, or NGOs,” he said.

A members of the Board of Trustees who is former Turkish ambassador to Indonesia Zekeriya Akcam added, the foundation will also develop moderate Islamic education.

“We want to safeguard the future of our children, in particular to protect them from the threat of radical ideologies,” said Akcam.

In response, Vice President Jusuf Kalla welcomed any cooperation related to education, including the establishment of Maarif Foundation in Indonesia, as it is believed able to increase people-to-people contact.

The Vice President further explained, there are many good educational institutions in Indonesia run by the government, private sector, and also international organizations.

Regarding cooperation with the government, the Vice President asserted, the curriculum should comply with the national standards existing in Indonesia. He also urged the foundation to get more detailed information from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Meanwhile, for cooperation with the private sector and NGOs, according to the Vice President, the Maarif Foundation should make a presentation directly with relevant parties, and explain in detail the purpose of the foundation, its system/curriculum, its teachers’ capacity, and so on.

The Vice President also reminded, cooperation in the field of education is a long time cooperation.

“Education is a long-term investment, and the results are for long-term period,” said the Vice President.

In the occasion, the Vice President also revealed that Indonesia also has two educational institutions taking the name of “Maarif”, which are Maarif Education Institute run by Nahdlatul Ulama and the Maarif Institute that is built on the idea of ​​former Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif. Both of these Islamic organizations, according to him, have great contribution in social activities, especially in the field of education.

“So you can make a comparative study (to both institutions), for education, science, and science are very dynamic,” said the Vice President.

Also attending with Mr. Akgun and Mr. Akcam were Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Mr. Sander Gurbuz, Executive Board Chairman of the foundation Cem Zorlu, and Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education of Turkey Ahmet Emre Bilgili.

http://www.wapresri.go.id/menerima-ketua-dewan-wali-amanat-maarif-foundation-turki/