PPI Dunia: Bridging Nations through Diplomacy and Global Innovation

TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – The global presence of PPI Dunia (Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Dunia) has solidified its role in accelerating international interactions. According to them, the involvement of Indonesian students pursuing education abroad has become increasingly vital and multidimensional. This perspective was highlighted in a dialogue with the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing on (12/1/2024). 

During this event, PPI Dunia and the Indonesian Embassy discussed various sectors that could be explored by students. This conversation painted a robust picture of the significant contributions of overseas students to Indonesia's international presence. 

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Parulian George Andreas Silalahi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, emphasized the need for academic excellence as well as innovation and creativity from Indonesian students in various fields. Students are expected not only to absorb knowledge but also to act as intelligence agents to strengthen Indonesia's ties with foreign nations. 

This dialogue reflects a paradigm shift in diplomacy, acknowledging that current foreign policies are no longer solely driven by intergovernmental interactions. The role of interpersonal interactions, making Indonesian students abroad unofficial ambassadors, has gained importance. 

"(While living abroad) we learn about what they need, what they want, and how this can be translated into mutually beneficial cooperation," expressed a representative from PPI Dunia during the dialogue. 

On the daily basis, PPI Dunia added that Indonesian students abroad immerse themselves in and absorb various cultural aspects around them. These students delve into the habits and needs of the countries where they study. 

Meanwhile, Silalahi highlighted the golden opportunity for Indonesian students, especially in the ASEAN and China regions, to strengthen relations between these two entities. The expectation is for students abroad to become effective intermediaries, understanding various needs ranging from culture to the economy. 

In this context, Indonesian students are not just knowledge repositories, they are economic diplomacy players contributing to building mutually beneficial economic relationships. Their unique insights from international living experiences open opportunities for Indonesia to enter broader export markets. 

The organization, dispersed across various parts of the world, revealed that the 'Export Ambassadors' and 'Export School' or known as Sekolah Ekspor PPI programs initiated by PPI Dunia provide tangible examples of real efforts to harness the potential of Indonesian students abroad. Although these programs have been running for only a few months, they are already showing promising results. 

These programs create a global learning platform for students worldwide on how to actively participate in Indonesia's export ecosystem. Some Indonesian students who participated in these events are now becoming awakened to enter the world of exports. 

Through this approach, Indonesian students abroad not only bring back knowledge but also open doors for sustainable economic collaboration. "This is not just about shipping goods; it's about fostering awareness and the ability to participate in the global economy," added PPI Dunia. 

In terms of culture, Indonesian students in China have a unique opportunity to promote Indonesian culture through popular social media platforms such as Douyin and Bilibili. Although some of these platforms are less known in Indonesia, their dominance in the Chinese digital market provides a significant chance to build innovative and authentic narratives and content. 

In this dynamic flow, Indonesian students abroad are not just information links, they are bridges that connect two worlds. They not only bring back knowledge and experiences but also pave the way for mutual understanding and sustainable economic collaboration. 

It is the commitment of PPI Dunia to be an informative link and a bridge that unites Indonesia with the world. Indonesian students abroad are ready to contribute, grow together, and build a broader universe for Indonesia on the global stage. 

PPI Dunia also emphasizes that being a student abroad is not just an educational journey; it is a diplomatic mission for Indonesia. This mission will help the equatorial nation progress on various fronts as it steps onto the international stage. (*)

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