Inauguration of HRH the King of Surakarta

HRH The King of Surakata, Indonesia
On 28 April, 2010, His Royal Highness KDYMM Sinuhun Paku Buwono XIII was inaugurated as GULL’s first Pro Chancellor. As the senior king of three kingdoms in Indonesia, his family have occupied the Palace of Surakarta, Hadiningrat, Solo since 1745.

The King is a strong advocate of lifelong learning and he will serve as GULL’s champion for Indonesia, particularly for the large numbers of people who have limited or no access to further and higher education.

Right: His Royal Highness KDYMM Sinuhun Paku Buwono XIII, King of Surakarta, Indonesia’s ancient kingdom

Kingdom and Palace of Surakarta, Indonesia
In the early 20thcentury, Indonesia was divided into 350 greater and lesser kingdoms. Although Dutch imperialism had influenced this pattern, the political history of the archipelago over the centuries had been marked by the expansion and contraction of spheres of influence. One of the oldest and most powerful centres of power has always been located in central Java. The court of Surakarta Hadiningrat, formed in the 1740s, can trace its origins to kingdoms of the 8th century.

In 1945 the ancient kingdoms were superseded by the newly-formed Republic of Indonesia. The courts with their panoply of ancient traditions gave away to a new political ethos in which individual achievement replaced aristocratic birth as the main criterion for success. Overnight the courts lost their political power and rulers lost both inherited power and traditional sources of income. Many simply disappeared, while others clung to a precarious existence as tourist attractions or cultural centres.

Java is now home to over 100 million people. Two-thirds of these belong to the ethnic group known as Javanese. The past half-century has seen rapid social change, usually peaceful, but occasionally marked by extreme violence. Javanese culture is known for its high degree of refinement and devotion to ideas of spirituality and etiquette. This stereotype, fostered in part by Dutch colonial influence, masks a much richer complexity.

Inauguration of GULL’s first Pro Chancellor

Inauguration of His Royal Highness KDYMM Sinuhun Paku Buwono XIII, King of Surakarta as Pro Chancellor, Global University for Lifelong Learning, Palace of Surakarta, Hadiningrat, Solo, Indonesia, 28 April 2010.

Pictured Left to right: Dato’ Paduka Dr Alex Ong, Special Private Secretary to the King, HRH the King, Dr Richard Teare, President, Global University for Lifelong Learning (GULL), Dato’ Dr Vincent Tang, Regional President, South East Asia, GULL.

Serving the people of Indonesia

The King joins a GULL Chancellery team led by His Excellency Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane, Head of State, Papua New Guinea (Founding Chancellor) and Grand Chief Sir Micael Somare, Prime Minister, Papua New Guinea (Co Chancellor)

Left: Richard Teare congratulates the King on his appointment as GULL Pro Chancellor.

Our thanks to the people of Solo, Indonesia

Our sincere thanks to the King, his Special Private Secretary, Dato’ Paduka Dr Alex Ong, the Police Service in Solo and to the King’s staff for facilitating the inauguration event.

Pictured Left: The King (centre) is joined by holders of Indonesia’s highest service award including Dato’ Dr Vincent Tang (third from the right) and (far right) Her Royal Highness Putri Aizian Utto Camsa, Pincess sa Buayan, Philippines (GULL Pro Chancellor designate)

Advancing in South East Asia
GULL aims to provide lifelong learning opportunities in the workplace and the community. GULL’s work in South East Asia currently includes: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan and China. GULL’s work in South East Asia is led by Dato’ Dr Vincent Tang, Regional President.

GULL is a not-for-profit foundation registered in California, USA. GULL is recognized by the Government of Papua New Guinea & endorsed by other Governments, Leaders & Institutions.