On Thursday, April 10, 2025, the Library and Archives of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed a visit from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. The visit was attended by the Wielkopolska Delegation led by Mr. Marshal Marek Wozniak, as well as the Poland-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group, headed by Mr. Krzysztof Gadowski, MP, accompanied by six other members. The delegation was joined by Ms. Barbara Szymanowska, a representative of the Polish Embassy in Jakarta, along with three Polish students currently studying in Yogyakarta, including at UGM. The delegation was received by the Library and Archives Management and Public Relations Teams at the UGM Archives Meeting Room.
The entire event was conducted in two languages—Indonesian and Polish—with the support of professional interpreters. The use of Polish throughout the visit aimed not only to introduce and promote the language to the UGM academic community but also to underscore a shared commitment to fostering cooperation in language and cultural education.
In his remarks, Mr. Krzysztof Gadowski, MP conveyed the purpose of the visit, which was to strengthen the partnership between Poland and UGM. Among the proposed areas of collaboration were the potential establishment of a Polish language course at UGM and the donation of Polish reading materials to enrich the UGM Library and Archives collection.
Head of UGM Library and Archives, Arif Surachman, S.I.P., MBA., expressed his appreciation for the visit and the cooperation extended by the Polish government.
"Last year, we received several book titles from the Polish Embassy, and today, we are pleased to welcome another generous contribution. These books will be a valuable addition to our collection," he stated.
Regarding the proposed language course, Arif added, "We will bring this idea to the attention of university leadership for further discussion and consideration."
Following the remarks, the event continued with an informal discussion about the UGM Library and Archives collections and services, as well as general information about UGM. The session proceeded with a symbolic handover of books from the Polish delegation, comprising titles on Polish history, language, culture, and contemporary life. The visit concluded with a group photo session and a tour of key facilities and services at the UGM Library and Archives.
This visit marked part of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Poland and reflected the two nations' commitment to enhancing collaboration in education and culture. The event directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by fostering international cooperation between institutions to enhance educational capacity and cultural exchange. Simultaneously, it aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, by expanding access to international literature, introducing foreign languages, and promoting an inclusive, multicultural, and high-quality learning environment within the academic community.
Contributor: Wasilatul Baroroh