The Institute for Cooperation and International Affairs, Universitas MUhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), held a friendly gathering with 28 international students from Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia studying at several faculties. Held directly on the main campus, Jalan Muhtar Basri Medan, Saturday (8/7) was carried out to build a better understanding and get feedback from their lecture process at UMSU.
The event was attended by the Rector of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, represented by Vice Rector III UMSU Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, MSi, accompanied by the Chairperson of LKUI, Rafieqah Nalar Rizky, S.Sos, M.A., Secretary of BIPA, Dr. Cut Novita Srikandi, S.S., M.Hum. and Vice Deans III within UMSU.
The Silaturrahim event was enlivened by serving Thai and Cambodian specialties. Before enjoying the typical food from the participating countries, the students from Thailand and Cambodia presented the menus prepared for eating. The students themselves packaged the typical Thai and Cambodian food.
The event became even more boisterous when international students demonstrated their Indonesian language skills by reading poetry and rhymes. The students were also asked to introduce themselves in the language of their country of origin and Indonesian.
UMSU Vice Rector III, Dr. Rudianto, MSi, explained that the presence of international students at UMSU was part of the internationalization program. Two institutions are prepared to recruit international students: the Office of International Affairs Corporation (LKUI) and the Indonesian Language Institute for Foreign Speakers (BIPA).
According to Vice Rector III UMSU Asocc. Prof. Dr. Rudianto, MSi, so far, prospective international students’ interest in studying at UMSU is considerable. UMSU itself is still focused on the Southeast Asian Region. We are preparing UMSU’s ability to accept a more significant number of international students.
In addition to accepting international students to study at the UMSU campus, UMSU also sends dozens of students to study at several campuses abroad through the international credit transfer program and the Indonesian International Student Mobility Award, which is part of independent learning on independent campuses and international cooperation.
Of the 28 international students registered at UMSU, two graduated last week on behalf of Asuenah Yusoh and Nadia Niyom. Both are students from Thailand who have completed their studies at the English Language Study Program’s Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP). The remaining 26 people are still following the lecture process, namely 16 students from Thailand, eight from Cambodia, and two from Malaysia.
They study at several faculties, such as the Faculty of Teaching and Education (FKIP), the Faculty of Islamic Religion (FAI), the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), the Faculty of Engineering(FT), and the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology(FIKTI).
At the end of the friendly meeting, Vice Rector III Rudianto advised that international students could use all UMSU programs, such as BIPA, and MBKM, for activities in the Student Activity Unit. International students are encouraged to actively participate in pursuing achievements through creative activities in addition to pursuing academic achievements.
“We also open up opportunities for international students to continue studying at the UMSU master’s program,” said Rudianto. their friend in class.
“I would like to thank the faculty leaders who have helped foreign students a lot in the lecture process,” he said.
He further hoped that international students could become UMSU’s right-hand man to introduce the campus to their country of origin to friends, relatives, and relatives. The hope is that more and more international students will study at UMSU, either with a scholarship or a regular scheme.
