Jakarta, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education – Efforts to strengthen Indonesian diplomacy in East Africa continue through the development of Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA). The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), along with the Language Development and Fostering Agency (Badan Bahasa), is strengthening synergy with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Tanzania to further promote Indonesian and serve as a bridge for cooperation in education, culture, and human resource development in the region.
This commitment emerged during an audience with the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Wamendikdasmen) Atip Latipulhayat, accompanied by the Head of the Language Agency, Hafidz Muksin, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Republic of Tanzania, concurrently to the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of Burundi, and the East African Community (EAC), Tri Yogo Jatmiko.
The Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education assessed that teaching Indonesian in Tanzania is a long-term investment that will strengthen bilateral relations through education. "The good relationship that has existed between Indonesia and Tanzania needs to be further strengthened through education. One strategic step is to expand Indonesian language learning so that more Tanzanians will become familiar with Indonesia, both its language and culture," said Atip.
He also encouraged the use of various good practices in BIPA programs in various countries as a reference for developing Indonesian language learning in Tanzania. Since 2018, the Indonesian government has facilitated nine Tanzanian students to participate in the Darmasiswa program to study Indonesian language, arts, and culture.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Tanzania, Tri Yogo Jatmiko, stated that Tanzanians are increasingly interested in studying in Indonesia, leading to a growing need to learn Indonesian. "The upcoming Indonesian language classes will be an important bridge for Tanzanian students who want to continue their education in Indonesia. They will be developing their Indonesian language skills to be better prepared for the learning process when they receive scholarships or continue their studies in Indonesia," said Tri Yogo.
According to him, the Indonesian Language (BIPA) class at the Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM) also has the potential to attract students from other East African countries. "For us, the presence of the Indonesian Language (BIPA) class is like providing additional fuel for Indonesian diplomacy in Tanzania. Language is an effective medium for strengthening relations between the two countries and opening up opportunities for broader cooperation in the future," he said. To support the program's sustainability, the Indonesian Embassy is also identifying Tanzanian alumni who graduated from Indonesia to become local BIPA teachers.
The Head of the Language Agency, Hafidz Muksin, emphasized that strengthening BIPA is a crucial part of Indonesia's cultural diplomacy. "Language diplomacy is a long-term investment whose benefits will continue to grow. What the Indonesian Embassy is doing is an example of how language can act as a bridge that strengthens relationships between people and strengthens cooperation between countries," said Hafidz.
As a follow-up, the Language Agency will support the development of BIPA through the deployment of teachers, online classes, capacity building and certification of local teachers, and strengthening memorandums of understanding with universities. "In 2026, the Language Agency will facilitate the assignment of one BIPA teacher to MUM. This BIPA teacher assignment is an initiative of the Indonesian Embassy," he added.
Through collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Language Agency, and the Indonesian Embassy in Tanzania, the development of BIPA is expected to expand the reach of Indonesian in East Africa while strengthening Indonesia's educational diplomacy through sustainable people-to-people relations. *** (Author: Ade H. S/Editor: Denty)
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