Bandung Islamic University (Unisba) held another international student exchange program entitled “2nd Unisba Global Student Motion 2024” with the theme “Navigating SDGs and Culture Across Borders: Empowering Student Changemakers”. The event, which 23 international students attended, lasted four days, from Tuesday to Friday (24-27/9). The program was organized by the International Office Unisba(KUI) and aims to facilitate international collaboration and cultural exchange between students from various countries.
In her speech, the Head of International Office Unisba, Siska Nia Irasanti, drg., M.M., said that this program was Unisba’s commitment to strengthening academic collaboration and global culture. She said she was happy to welcome students from prestigious universities and countries. According to her, this is a golden opportunity for Unisba to build a more comprehensive network.
During the program, students participated in various activities, such as presentations and discussions related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), community service in the form of tree planting in Unisba-Ciburial Partner Village, cultural exchange, Bandung city tour using Bandros, intimacy night, and rafting in Lake Cileunca. In addition, other academic and non-academic activities also enriched the participants’ experience while at Unisba.
“The participants of this program came from universities such as Al Bukhary International University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universitas Teknologi Mara , Holy Child Central Colleges from the Philippines, and Chang Gung University Faculty of Medicine from Taiwan. In addition, 20 Unisba students were also involved as student ambassadors and learning partners during the event,” she said.
She added that students in this program come from various disciplines, such as informatics, social sciences, economics, law, medicine, and others. She was very enthusiastic about the diversity of perspectives expected to emerge during discussions and collaborative activities that will undoubtedly enrich the experience of all participants.
“In addition to providing academic learning, this program also provides an opportunity for students to understand different cultures and global education systems. We hope that the friendships and cooperation formed during this event will continue, opening up new opportunities for future partnerships between our institutions,” she said.
Meanwhile, Vice Rector IV of Unisba, Dr. Ratna Januarita, S.H., LL.M., M.H., in her speech, added that this event was an implementation of the MoU and MoA that Unisba had signed with strategic university partners. This program is also designed to strengthen cooperation between Unisba and other universities, providing productive opportunities for students to discuss and interact with Unisba students and lecturers.
“This program is important in equipping students with cross-cultural understanding and helping them become agents of change who support the achievement of SDGs. In addition, this activity also provides credit points that are useful for the accreditation of participating faculties at Unisba,” she said.
With the end of this program, she hopes that cross-country academic and cultural collaboration will continue to be established and open up new opportunities for partnerships between institutions.
“all of the LOs are so fun to talk with, though some struggling to converse in english, they tried their best to make sure we understand. but i really appreciate them for talking in bahasa with me cause i really miss conversing in bahasa. they are all funny and they didn’t made me felt left out. even during the first day when we first arrived they already offered me food and they didn’t make things awkward so it’s not hard for me to open up either.“
Nadia Maisarah binti Badrul Hisham, UGEO Participant from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam
