UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., IPU, ASEAN Eng., opened School of International Training (SIT) Study Abroad 22nd activity in Faculty of Philosophy UGM. SIT is an annual event held by Faculty of Philosophy since 2009.
This program is celebrated each semester specifically in February and September. This event proposes as a way to introduce the philosophy of Indonesia to the young generation particularly to the American students.
“Hopefully the American students can enhance the cultural knowledge of Indonesia on this special occasion,” said the Rector in Auditorium Faculty of Philosophy UGM on Monday (10/2)
The rector highly welcomed this event and hoped these 22 American students who participated in SIT would discuss a lot of things with UGM Students in the hope of building up a good relationship between two.
The dean of Faculty of Philosophy UGM, Dr. Arqom Kuswanjono added these 22 American students will learn language, art, culture, and religion in Indonesia. Furthermore, in two weeks they can enhance and learn as well about east philosophy, west philosophy, religion philosophy, Pancasila philosophy, shadow puppet philosophy and other educative things in the Faculty of Philosophy UGM.
“Besides art, the culture of Nusantara, we hope the students also learn various philosophies in this faculty,” he said.
Vice Dean for Research, Service, Cooperation and Alumni, Dr. Septiana Dwiputri Maharani, added that the Study Abroad School of International Training (SIT) is a routine activity. In this 22nd event which is joined by 22 American students from various universities and assorted study programs.
“This program is quite amazing because we are working with the SIT Program and want to show the beauty of the archipelago. The beauty of Indonesia, local wisdom, and then students coming from America from various universities and study programs coordinated by Dr. Ni Wayan Ariyati learned about that,” she said.
In Yogyakarta, American students will also stay in Godean, Sleman. They will live in people’s homes.
The American students who live in the resident’s house are expected to learn to live as Indonesian. Each student lives in one resident’s house. Throughout the time, the learning activities about culture, religion, society and others will be taught at the Faculty of Philosophy.
“So, they won’t be together. They learn to live as Indonesian,” she said.
This kind of cooperation aims to reveal Indonesia’s colors in the form of culture and religion. Thus, through this collaboration can be considered as valuable help for Indonesia to display other positive things instead of conflicts over religion or culture which cannot be disclosed.
“They learn Indonesia which consists of various religions, living in harmony and so on. Cultural diversity can be demonstrated through this program. They can learn the habit of Indonesian native. After they learned these kinds of things for 2 weeks, the program was closed with a dance performance of SIT Program students. So, it will be closed by dancing as one of Indonesia’s cultural products,” added Septiana.
Reporter: Agung
Translator: Natasa