Visit from the Indonesian Embassy

We were glad to welcome Dr Desra Percaya, Indonesian Ambassador to the UK, to visit the University. He was joined by colleagues from the Embassy, and visitors from Universitas Indonesia, one of our partners.

To mark the occasion, staff and students were invited to the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall for a musical performance on the gamelan, a traditional Indonesian percussion instrument. This gamelan set belongs to the School of Music at the University of Leeds and is called the Golden Thread as a reference to the strong textile industry connections between Leeds and Indonesia.

Musicians from the University of York performing on the gamelan.

The performance was directed by the University of York’s Ángel Andrés Cataño Flores, and featured musicians from the Setar Petak (White Rose) ensemble. Ambassador Percaya even joined in with a performance on the saxophone.

Dr Desra Percaya, Indonesian Ambassador, performing on the saxophone.

Following the concert, Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leeds opened a panel with his speech highlighting the ongoing relationship between the UK and Indonesia, a relationship which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Professor Hai-Sui Yu delivering opening remarks at the panel.

A panel discussion was then held featuring Dr Percaya from the Indonesian Embassy, Professor Iain Clacher from Leeds University Business School, Dr Surya Subedi from the School of Law, and Dr Edy Prasetyono from Universitas Indonesia, moderated by Dr Adam Tyson from the School of POLIS.

The speakers discussed issues like climate change, education, and global collaboration, and answered questions from attendees.

Attendees for the panel, with panellists gathered in the front row.