UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga continues to review its quality development in various sectors, especially in the scope of education in order to reach the Top 500 World Class University (WCU) in 2020. In this regard, a forum is needed to get the aspirations of all academics, including international students.
As a facilitator in international activities, Airlangga Global Engagement (AGE) initiated the forum through a discussion called Lunch with International Students. This event gives opportunities to international students to share their opinions with the management during their education at UNAIR.
After the event, Dian Ekowati, SE., M.Si., M.AppCom(OrgCh)., Ph.D. as AGE Secretary explained that the event was not the first one. There were 87 students from several countries, such as Malaysia, Timor Leste, Zimbabwe, Palestine, Yemen, Nepal, and Gambia attended the meeting.
“This meeting is actually intended as a regular event. The point is we want to know what they feel and experience at UNAIR. If there are criticisms and suggestions, they can be input related to student management for universities and faculties, “explained the lecturer of Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB).
The event was opened with a lunch session and a speech from the recipient of 2018 Airlangga Development Scholarship (ADS), Noraddin Yahya. It was followed by a sharing session with Vice Rector I, Prof. Djoko Santoso, dr., Ph.D., Sp.PD.K-GH.FINASIM and the Secretary of AGE. Director of Human Resources (HR), Dr. Purnawan Basundoro, SS, M.Hum; Head of Center for Information and Public Relations (PIH), Dr. Suko Widodo., Drs. M.Si; Head of Language Center (PUSBA), Dr. Eko Supeno, Drs. M.Si. also attended with several other faculty leaders at UNAIR.
“During the sharing session, some students were enthusiastic presenting issues they considered important, from the obstacles of language in class, dormitory issues, to information about tuition or research assistance, ” she said.
Dian also added that aspirations must be treated integratedly by the university. Furthermore, all aspirations have been directly observed by Prof. Djoko and will be examined in the upcoming leadership meeting. Improvements will be made to the faculty level so the teaching and learning activities can take place more optimally.
“We also provided information about Airlangga Global Day (AGD) and planned for forming a student association since the number of international students has increased. So they can have a community to gather, and we will facilitate it. Pakistani student family has been a solid one, ” she concluded. (*)
Author: Nabila Amelia
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
