Yogyakarta State University hosted the 3rd INDOPED General Meeting on November 30 to December 2, 2016. INDOPED is a project of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemristekdikti) to enhance the learning capacity of higher education in order to compete globally. The activity was carried out at the Main Courtroom of YSU Rector’s office and was opened by Vice Rector I Wardan Suyanto, MA., Ed.D. (30/11).

In his speech, the Vice Rector said that the activity initiated by the Faculty of Languages and Arts is expected to be a platform to exchange learning experiences between universities from each country. "More specifically, the program aims to maintain and improve the capacity of teaching pedagogical approach" said Wardan Suyanto, MA, Ed.D. "At the same time to bridge the gap between what’s being taught in college with what is required of industry, through referrals from partner universities in Europe". Meanwhile, the Head of INDOPED Project, Harri Lappalainen said that the overall objective of the project INDOPED is to improve the capacity of teachers to teach at universities in Indonesia. "We see that the teacher's role should be more like a mentor and facilitator of learning, not a teacher in the traditional sense" says Harri Lappalainen "Cooperation between universities and companies allows students to improve their competence in work, this is the key to higher education to make it more efficient and cost-effective . "During the project INDOPED practice active learning in Europe will be tested and inculcate the valuable things in a partner university in Indonesia.

In this INDOPED project, there are five European educational institutions namely; Turku University of Applied Science of Finland, Inholland University Netherlands, University of Seville Spain, Business Academy Aarhus Denmark, and the University of Gdansk Poland. While six educational institutions Indonesia involved are, the Binus University International Jakarta, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Widya Mandala Catholic University in Surabaya, Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh, and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Open Learning Centre (SEAMOLEC).

In line with this goal, five higher education institutions in Europe in cooperation with six Indonesian educational institutions are to develop projects INDOPED in order to renew the education system through the student center learning teaching methods. This project will take place over the next three years. (dedy)