INAA Annual Reunion Meeting (August 18, 2024)

The Indonesian NAIST Alumni Association (INAA) successfully held its Annual Reunion Meeting on August 18, 2024, at the Oakwood Hotel Taman Mini, Jakarta. This year’s meeting was notable for the record attendance of 12 delegates from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan. The delegation was led by the President of NAIST, Dr. Kazuhiro Shiozaki, marking his first visit to Indonesia for an INAA event. The meeting was attended by 70 participants, including alumni and their families, reflecting the strong ties and active engagement within the alumni community. The overview of INAA Reunion Meeting 2024 has been uploaded in the INAA website.

The event began at 08:30 with registration and welcoming remarks from Master of Ceremony (Dr. Sarmoko). Dr. Sarmoko warmly welcomed all attendees and expressed his gratitude for their presence. The formal agenda started around 09:00 with welcoming greetings from the INAA President, Dr. Berry Juliandi, who not only extended a warm welcome to the NAIST delegation but also took the opportunity to introduce the NAIST alumni from Indonesia present at the meeting. Followed by an opening speech from NAIST President, Dr. Shiozaki and he emphasized that “Alumni success is also NAIST success.” This sentiment resonated strongly with all alumni and set a positive tone for the day’s proceedings.

The meeting had several key presentations and discussions:

• NAIST-Indonesia Collaboration: Prof. Yasumasa Bessho delivered a presentation on the on-going and past collaboration between NAIST and various Indonesian institutions.
• Presentations from NAIST Delegates: Prof. Shun Hirota and Prof. Kiyoshi Kiyokawa presented on their respective areas of expertise, providing insights into the latest developments in their fields and also gave information regarding NAIST Alumni Association.
• INAA Activity Report: Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, represented INAA Committee, provided a brief report on the INAA activities over the past year, including initiatives aimed at fostering closer ties among alumni and enhancing collaboration with NAIST.
• Alumni Presentations: The meeting also featured presentations from alumni, including Dr. Endah Puji Septisetyani from BRIN, Dr. Retno Supriyanti from UNSOED, and Dr. Muhammad Ashar from UM. These presentations highlighted the significant contributions of NAIST alumni to research and development in Indonesia, joint research projects and future opportunities for partnership.
• Interactive Q&A and Discuss Session: A Q&A session allowed for an interactive exchange of ideas between the NAIST delegation and the alumni. The session was lively, with participants engaging in discussions on a wide range of topics, from research collaborations to personal experiences. Following the Q&A session, a discuss session provided an opportunity for NAIST delegation and alumni to reconnect and explore potential areas of collaboration.

     Other than the meeting, there are some activities to strengthen the bonds between attendees:

• Dinner Gathering: On August 17, a pre-event dinner was held at Taman Koleksi, Bogor. This informal gathering allowed participants to enjoy Indonesian cuisine while catching up with each other in a relaxed setting. Prof. Maki and Prof. Bessho from NAIST joined the dinner, which was well-received by all.
• Excursion to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII): After the meeting on August 18, participants went on an excursion to TMII. The group visited cultural landmarks such as Plaza Kori, Anjungan Bali, and the Komodo Museum, providing an enjoyable and educational experience for all.

Overall, the 2024 INAA annual reunion meeting was a huge success, achieving its objectives of encouraging collaboration, strengthening connections, and expanding the network between NAIST and its alumni in Indonesia. This year’s meeting has set a strong foundation for future collaborations and continued engagement between NAIST and its Indonesian alumni.