Of some 8 billion earthlings, about 673 million suffer from hunger, while more than 2.2 billion still lack access to safely managed drinking water [1]. Many world regions struggle with the consequences of ageing. Today’s crisis in the Gulf creates a focus on a growing shortage in fertilizers. Climate change causes drought and threatens food production. Southern Java, including Kabupaten Tasikmalaya, is about to discover our region is part of a solution.

 

Advanced agricultural and water technologies and an adequate diversification of crops can better serve both local and, particularly, international markets. Indonesia’s prominent role as supplier of critical materials such as lithium, nickel and other rare earths is about to be complemented with globally required healthy food products. Kabupaten Tasikmalaya is taking steps to develop an integrated approach to novel foods and food production, logistics and global trade. South-East-Asian and Gulf States show interest in our fertile lands, fisheries and natural potential for cost-effective port construction. Organic and specialty foods have already found access to European and American markets. The time for scaling-up has arrived. 

 

To align global demand with local supply and to fulfil each of the requirements connecting consumers and producers represents our challenge ahead. This requires both a multi-stakeholder approach domestically and an acute understanding how to effectively penetrate markets globally. The Edgar Brood Academic Chair for English and IT (EBAC) established the foundation for the internationalisation of Tasikmalaya’s potentials and ambitions. Students, entrepreneurs, civil servants and political leaders discovered a road to globalisation. International conferences, often jointly with regional and local authorities, helped identify and realise opportunities. When I was informed about the plan to transition EBAC into an international business school with English and Artificial Intelligence at its core, I wholeheartedly embraced and supported this plan. 

 

To select from among the best performing students those who cannot afford to take further steps into internationality, represents equality and opportunity for all as written in the Holy Khoran. 

 

By training young graduates in the practical realities of export business, market selection, compliance, pricing, logistics, cross-cultural negotiation, and more, the new International Business School directly addresses the gap between Tasikmalaya's potential and its current export performance. It does so with seriousness and ambition, drawing on international expertise while remaining firmly rooted in the realities and products of this region.

 

In my consultations with the IBS team I have noticed that the School will do more than teaching. It will serve as a platform for networking, technology transfer, new product development, packaging, storage, transport along the lines of internationally required norms of safety, health and environment. Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility will form integrating parts of the educational process. Indeed, this will arouse interest if not effective support from funding institutions and investors. As Tasikmalaya’s public authority, we will assist this development with adequate regulatory and legal security requirements in accordance with applicable authorities and provisions.

 

The median age of Indonesia's population is 31.8 years, with nearly equal numbers of men and women [2]. The Central Government requires universities and vocational schools to develop international cooperation and promote student exchange programs. The solid cooperation between Universitas Siliwangi and the R&D International Business School is destined to optimise the opportunities for both male and female students. 

 

I extend my warmest congratulations to the founders and team of R&D IBS, and my deepest encouragement to every participant in this programme. You are not just studying for a certificate; by addressing real problems you prepare real change this region. I look forward to watching and helping you do it.