Swiss Government supports UPH to establish MTIC Program

UPH Master of Law supported by Swiss government through Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) opens the new MTIC program.The program has been jointly developed by UPH with the World Trade Institute (WTI) at the University of Bern, and is the first of its kind in Indonesia and the second in ASEAN.

This program was officially launched on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at UPH Graduate School, Plaza Semanggi. The first batch that started the program on September 10, 2012 included students from various educational and professional background.

In the grand launching event, Dean of Faculty of Law Prof. Bintan Saragih quoted Minister of Education and Culture’s speech that the program was launched at the perfect time. MTIC is an excellent program and needed by Indonesia’s human resources also other countries’ in producing the best experts in international trade to reach the goal of ASEAN Economic Community 2015.

Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, the Ambassador of Switzerland for Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN, mentioned his excitement to be able to contribute to the program and cooperate with UPH. The support of Swiss government in this program is the implementation of commitment in developing trade and economy program in Indonesia and ASEAN as stated in diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2012 in which Indonesia is among the top 8 countries of Swiss’ priority in economic development.

“Indonesia and Swiss have had a strong diplomatic and economic relations for 60 years, and this MTIC program is the right step to create the eminent center of trade law with international standard,” stated Ambassador Heinz.

“I am optimistic that the program will not only contribute to trade policy and law in Indonesia but also in ASEAN. Let us together improve the quality of education and human resources in Indonesia,” Ambassador Heinz added.

As a souvenir, Ambassador Heinz gave the Swiss Civil Code Book to commemorate the Anniversary of 100 years of Swiss Civil Law to UPH as represented by Raymond Liu, UPH President.

In the end of the event, an MOU was signed between Universitas Pelita Harapan, represented by Henry Soelistiyo Budi, Head of UPH Master of Law, and Centre of Education and Training, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, represented by Hazairin Pohan.

The event was also attended by Mr. Jurg Schneider, Head of Economic Development Cooperation SECO, Embassy of Switzerland, Mr. Pierre Sauve, Deputy Managing Director and Director of Studies, World Trade Institute, the lecturers of MTIC program, Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria, and representations of various institutions and professionals. (rh)