As many as 16 students and 4 lecturers from Osaka University made a cultural visit to Yogyakarta from 11–25 February 2017 on a cooperation between International Relations department UGM and Osaka University to introduce Indonesian culture to international students.
The programme was initiated by Program on Humanitarian Actions (POHA) under the Institute of International Studies in the International Relations department since 2013. It also involved up to 14 International Relations graduate students from the special interest on global humanitarian diplomacy, and lecturers and researchers from UGM and Osaka University.
The delegation made a visit to Ullen Sentalu museum, Borobudur Temple, Keraton and Tembi cultural house. They also had a Joint Lecture on Indonesian multiculturalism, Project Cycle Management (PCM) and field project to Winongo river settlement.
Hani Setyawaskitaningrum, programme coordinator chairperson, said the participants from Osaka University were very enthusiastic to learn the cultural diversity in Indonesia particularly Javanese culture.
“The cultural visit programme tries to introduce the culture of Indonesia, especially Java, to Osaka University students. They came to Tembi cultural house to learn batik, gamelan music, and traditional dance,” she said on Monday (27/2).
The students from both universities also had a Joint Lecture on humanitarian works management under the guidance of lecturers and professional humanitarian works practitioners from both universities. They are Dr. Maharani Hapsari, Dr. Diah Kusumaningrum, Ayu Diasti Rahmawati, M.A, Yunizar Adiputera, M.A, Dana Hasibuan, M.A, and Agustinus Moruk Taek, M.A. Further are Prof. Stefano Tsukamoto, Dr. Maiko Kanda, Yasutoshi Yoshida, and Steve Muller.
On the field project in Winongo river, Indra Wijayanto, researcher, said the area had been selected because 30% of its residents were the indigenous people living in that area. The students learn about the problems facing the residents on the riverside as well as the government assistance to them. This programme was appreciated by the participants as it served to be the learning media for them to know the problems amidst society.
“This program inspires the students and complement the material taught in class so we have the opportuinity to compare the theoretical and practical understanding as well as ideas expansion to know the perspective and experience,” said F. Ruthi Maharani, UGM graduate student.