UNAIR NEWS – As one of the best universities in Indonesia, Universitas Airlangga conducts various international program and activities. There are many international students learning at Universitas Airlangga.
Universitas Airlangga has a work unit managing international engagement, Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE). One of the functions of AGE is to manage the academic affairs of international students. AGE also manages activities and provides excellent hospitality events for them.
Irfan Wahyudi, Ph.D., as Head of International Program Division at AGE said that the international students were considered as guests who wanted to learn in UNAIR.
“In addition to helping them with administrative matters, we also provide hospitality events in the form of Amerta programs,” he said.
The Amerta Program is a cultural trip that aims to introduce Indonesian culture to foreign students who study in UNAIR.
“Because they are students from outside Indonesia, we can be sure they will go through tough moment to adapt. So we hold this program as their recreation media while introducing our culture, so that their study activities continued smoothly too, “he added.
The program, which has been running since 2014 and is held regularly every semester, focuses on introducing the natural, health and social sciences. For even semester 2019, Amerta program took place in Banyuwangi Regency. The regency which is famous for its traditional culture and tourist attractions was chosen because it covers the focus of Amerta program, on natural, health, and social sciences.
“For our natural science activity we chose Baluran National Park. While our social sciences took place in Kemiren Osing traditional village, “he explained.
The program’s cultural trip, lasted for two days and one night in Banyuwangi Regency, also visited PSDKU UNAIR in Banyuwangi.
Arriving at PSDKU UNAIR Banyuwangi Campus on Sunday, Feb. 24, 46 international students were warmly welcomed by PSDKU UNAIR Banyuwangi coordinator and students. They were also welcomed with Banyuwangi traditional music from UKTK UNAIR Banyuwangi students.
“Welcome to PSDKU Universitas Airlangga in Banyuwangi, and I hope all of you enjoy this trip,” said Prof. Dr. Suryanto, M.Si, as the coordinator of PSDKU UNAIR Banyuwangi.
UNAIR Banyuwangi students also held a talkshow with the international students, and there was also dissemination from AGE on international activities at Universitas Airlangga. (*)
Author: Bastian Ragas
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
