Bali News / Bali Travel and Holiday Updates

To strengthen collaboration between the two nations an to get a better picture about Bali, on Wednesdey June 18th 2008, Swedish Ambassador in Indonesia Ann Marie Bolin Pennegard paid a visit to Bali Institute of Arts (ISI) accompanied by Swedish Consul in Bali Ida Bagus Ngr. Wijaya. The Ambassador was welcomed by the Rector of ISI Prof. Dr. I Wayan Rai S, M.A. accompanied by Rector Assistant and the Dean of FSP.

The Ambassador who has just started her assignment in Indonesia back in 2007 expressed her appreciation and pleasure of getting to know more about Bali especially its art and cultural heritage during her short visit to ISI. Ann added that there are a lot of Swedish who are keen to visit Bali. Out of 9.2 millions of Swedish citizens, 40 are currently residing in Bali, and more than 1,000 Swedish tourists visited Bali in this year alone. It proved that Bali is definitely retain its attraction to worldwide travelers.

Ann was planning to arrange a few cooperation programs with Indonesia especially ISI Denpasar, considering that the art and cultural institution held a strong potential to sustain heritage of tradition, art, and culture of Bali. Ann would also help to promote Bali as one of the preferable tourism destination.

Rector of ISI Denpasar Prof. Dr. I Wayan Rai S, M.A. explained that the visit of Swedish Ambassador was mainly focused on getting closer picture of the existence of ISI Denpasar. Discussion in between so far was focused on looking into possible forms of academical cooperation between ISI Denpasar and Swedish government. At the moment ISI has a Swedish student accepted in the form of Darma Siswa program. In the future it is expected to form a mutual scholarship program for both students and lecturers of ISI Denpasar and related Swedish universities.  In addition, bot parties were also foreseeing academical cooperation in the form of art and cultural missions and researches.