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The first "American Corner " in Indonesia
was inaugurated by U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce and Rector
Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra on Thursday, March 18, 2004 at the Islamic
State University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, Ciputat, Jakarta. The
Second "American Corner " was also inaugurated by U.S.
Public Affairs Counselor, Charles N. Silver and UMY Rector Dr.
Khorudin Bashori on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at the Universitas
Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) ,Yogyakarta, Central Java.
Another American Corners which already in operation were American
Corner at Universitas
Airlangga (UNAIR) Surabaya, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and
Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). The first "American Corner" in Sumatra, AC-IAIN Sumatra Utara (IAIN
SU) Medan, was opened by Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Lewis
Amselem and IAIN SU Rector
Prof. Dr. H.M. Yasir Nasution to
the general public at Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at the Insitut
Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Sumatra Utara, Medan, AC IAIN Walisongo Semarang on last January 2005.
Rector Universitas Indonesia, UI Rector Prof. Usman Chatib Warsa,
and Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Lewis Emselem delivered
opening speech on the inauguration of American Corner UI Jakarta on
Wednesday, February 24. 2005. American Corner UI is the eighth
American Corner to open in Indonesia and the second in Jakarta.
On September 2005, American Corner Universitas
Hasanuddin (UNHAS), Makassar, South Sulawesi was officially
innaugurated by
Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Lewis
Amselem and UNHAS Rector, Prof Ir. Rady A. Gani. And the latest
one, American Corner University of North Sumatra (USU), Medan
opened on December 2005.
The first American Corner for Bandung area was officially opened by
Rector Prof. Djoko Santoso and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S.
Embassy, John Heffern on February 19, 2008. The American Corner ITB
is the 11th American Corner in Indonesia, and the only American
Corner in Indonesia which is located in Science and Engineering
University
"American Corners" are partnerships
between United States Embassies and host institutions. They provide
access to current and reliable information about the United States
through book and magazines collections, the Internet, CD-ROMs. DVDs,
On-line Database, and programming. The first American Corner opened
in Russia in October 2000. Since that time, over 60 countries in
Europe, Asia and Africa have become part of the growing network of
American Corners across the globe.
The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta will establish eleven
"American Corners" over the coming year in selected
locations in Indonesia to promote understanding of the United
States, its culture, history and policies. These are formal
partnerships between the U.S. Embassy and Indonesian universities.
The American Corners is a true partnership.
The United States Embassy has provided the books and equipment
needed to set up the Corner; The host institution is providing the space and the
staff to make the Corner work.
Each American Corner features a diverse collection
of English language books and materials about the United States and
is similar to a university library reference service. All the
American Corners will be staffed by bilingual Indonesian library
personnel who will be available during regular library hours to
assist patrons interested in specific information about the United
States.
The collection includes reference books, works of
fiction, and commercial and government publications. Each American
Corner also features computers with guided Internet access, as well
as audio and video materials and CD-ROMS. The collection's design
includes support for information on English language instruction.
Each American Corner also provides resources about doing business in
the United States.
In addition, each American Corner in Indonesia will
offer public programs to make information about the United States
available to the Indonesian public. For example, other American
Corners have hosted speakers, workshops and meetings and served as a
venue for locally-generated programs such as an American film
series, English classes, or educational advising.
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