From 29 February to 1 March 2024, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica was visited by representatives of the Indonesian University - Universitas Negeri Padang: Rector prof. Drs. H. Ganefri, M. Pd., Ph.D., Vice-Rector IV for Collaboration and Information Systems prof. Dr. Yasri and director for International Services Prof. Rusnardi Rahmat ST. MT., Ph.D.

The meeting with the Indonesian partners was initiated by Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in Jakarta, Mr. Tomáš Ferko.

During the visit, the distinguished guests from Indonesia attended a working meeting at the Rector's Office of UMB. On behalf of the home institution the meeting was attended by assoc. prof. Vladimír Hiadlovský, PhD., Rector of MBU, prof. Peter Terem, PhD., Vice-Rector for Science and Research of MBU and prof. A. Bitušíková, PhD., Director of the University Centre for International Projects.

The meeting resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between two universities, in which the parties declare their interest in developing close cooperation in the field of education, science and research. Considering the important positions held by both rectors of the participating parties (Rector assoc. prof. Vladimír Hiadlovský - President of the Slovak Rectors' Conference, Rector prof. Ganefri - Chairman of the Assembly of Rectors of Indonesian State Universities), the trends of higher education development in both countries were also the topic of the meeting. 

Subsequently, the Indonesian guests visited Faculty of Political Sciences and International Relations MBU, where they were received by Assoc. prof. Branislav Kováčik, PhD, EMBA, Dean of the faculty. The last item on the agenda of the foreign visit was a reception by Mr. Martin Majling, deputy mayor of Banská Bystrica, at the town hall of our city.