INTRODUCTION
As an attempt to create specialists in area studies, the University of Indonesia has established the American Studies Graduate Program. The present Masters degree level American Studies Program at the University of Indonesia emphaizes the understading of America as a diverse, complex culture that can significantly contribute to closer relations between America and Indonesia.
However, apart from the degree program other relevant activities exist whit in the scope of the American Studies Program. Because only few can rightfully claim familiarity with all the diverse aspect is of American life, a lot of people will benefit from increased research programs, communication programs and cultural events. To provide an institutional set up for the expansion of these intercultural activities, the University of Indonesia has established the American Studies Center.
DEFINITION
The American Studies Center is Research and Information Center on American society and culture under the authority of the Rector of the University of Indonesia.
OBJECTIVIES
The American Studies Center activites will make a meaningful contribution to the overall Indonesian development through training and education oriented community service programs in intercultural communication and area studies, in particular, American Studies.
The American Studies Center shall conduct research and distribution of information that will promote better relations between American and Indonesia. The American Studies Center as a center for information and human resources will contribute to better policy making by enhancing the understanding of issues in Indonesian/American political, social, cultural, and economic affairs.
BENEFITS
Through the attainment of the stated objectives, the following benefits can be achieved:
Structural, long term support for increasing efficiency and productivity of the American Studies Program.
Indonesian scholars will obtain benefits from the opportunities to be involved in exchange grant activity and in programs concerning America and Indonesia.
The American Studies Center promotes the establishment of high quality collection of American research and information which thus consitute as an international archive for American civilization.
The American Studies Center will facilitate the development of experts in the area and provide resources to support research, teaching, and other activities. In addition, some benefits will arrive from the Centers communication program which will function in bridging Indonesian-American culture relations.
ACTIVITIES
The American Studies Center activities will facilitate
The development of experts in American Studies
Degree Program Support Activities through:
Personnel development or continuous improvement of academic quality.
Assistance for the Centers research programs in the form of short-term grants and the provision of facilities to Indonesian students and faculty members.
Cooperating with the USIS and AMINEF for the participation of high quality Fulbright Professors who will asist the development of the American Studies Program.
Development of curriculum and instruction.
Managing the conduct of any cooperation or educational exchange program with local and foreign universities in the field of American studies.
Library Development
Regularly adding to the number of books, periodicals, and data base to keep abreast of the development of American Studies.
In the long run, operating information services concerning America.
The Development of a Research Center
The American Studies Center conducts and sponsors research on American Studies for the American Studies Center or as a service to the general public for specific agencies.
The research programs objective is to acquire knowledge which is factual, conceptual, and comparative. The nature of the research will primarily be interdisciplinary.
These research activities will enhance the understanding of sociocultural issues present in Indonesian-American relations and will also assess the prospect of activities that can invigorate relations between America and Indonesia.
The American Studies Center thus can make a contribution to better policy making for the government and business sector concerning Indonesian-American relations.
Communication Program to bridge Indonesian-American cultural relations.
Education-Oriented Community Service Programs
Seminars or workshops, lecture series, Salemba Discussion Programs and Colloquiums on American Studies organized by the American Studies Program or through the cooperation of other institutions/studies center.
Short-term training program on American Studies or inter-cultural orientation program for special category groups (high school teachers, journalist, diplomats, business, people).
The publication of newsletter, journal, booklets and monographs as a means of communication concerning individuals directly related to the Center, America, and Indonesian-American cultural relations.
The Centers communication programs will introduce the Centers research report nonproprietary, relevant seminar, seminar outputs, programs, and American Studies Center information service.
ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN STUDIES CENTER
American Studies Center is managed by its Director, assisted by an Deputy Director of the program who coordinates activities, and by the Head of Administration who supervises the secretariat and financial staff. The Program Coordinator is appointed according to the centers managerial needs, such as in the case of the conduct of training program for particular agency, or specific publications and research programs.
FUNDING
Funding and other source of resource support
Program sponsors and service customers and Donations
The Center requires funding to conduct its many activities, the appropriation of these funds will cover among others:
Spendings for the Centers overhead costs which cover staff salaries, administrative staff, electricity, telephone bills and stationery.
Operational budget for regular and adhoc programs such as seminar/research/publication/training etc.
The financing of library development and data gathering (books/CD ROM etc.)
PERSONNEL
As the status of the American Studies Center is under the authority of the Rector of the University the management of the American Studies Center comprises of University of Indonesia staff (faculty member and employee). Head of Administration can employ temporary staff from outside of the University of Indonesia as administrative staff.
Program Coordinators are University of Indonesia staff (faculty member and employee) appointed by the staff meeting.
Program Execution Staff are hired on an adhoc basis.
The management of programs is based on ability and required expertise (ASAI members, graduate students, faculty/researcher).
Researchers/consultant/resource person are experts in American Studies in the Univeristy of Indonesia or outside of the University of Indonesia, locally or from abroad who can contribute to the development of the American Studies Center.
Director : Suzie Sudarman M.A
Deputy Director: Retno S. Mamoto Ph.D
Coordinator:
- for Communication Programs: Laksmi Nurharini M.Si
- for Workshops/Training Programs: Zeffry M.Si.
- for Research Programs: Bambang Nuroso M.Si
- for Information Dissemination Programs: Pusparida M.Si
