YOGYAKARTA - Center for Korean Studies UGM held the 7th workshop about Korea for High Schools (SMA/SMK/MA) teachers throughout Indonesia. The event undertaken for four days, 7-10 June 2011, involved 26 teachers from various areas, among others, Yogyakarta, Central Java, East Java, West Java, Banten, Bali, Southeast Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung and Riau.
Head of the Center, Dr. Novi Kussuji Indrastuti, M. Hum., said that the workshop aims to introduce Korean culture and language to the teachers at schools. "We promote Korean culture in this workshop," Novi said in a welcome dinner and Korean performing arts at Wisma Joglo, Wednesday evening (8/6). She added that the participants are representatives from schools whose former students studied at Korean language Department, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.
Prof. Dr. Siti Chamamah Soeratno as Councillor of Center for Korean Studies said that the workshop about Korea for teachers more strengthens bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Korea. Moreover, with this event, community is expected to imitate the work ethics of Koreans who are known as hard workers and enthusiastic to build their nation. "We know that Korean people always pay attention to working hard, including in the arts of thinking, studying, and teaching," she said.
Head of UGM Office of International Affairs, Dr. Rachmat Sriwijaya, said that Center for Korean Studies is the largest contributor of foreign students enrolled at UGM. Students from Korea are the third largest foreign students studying at UGM.
Moon Jae-Seung, a Korean Foundation representative, expressed appreciation and respect to the Center which regularly conducts workshop of Korea for teachers. She hoped the workshop more strengthens the cooperation that has been built by Korea Foundation since 1996. "Korea Foundation very supports this activity," she said.
Siti Saptariningsih, Teacher of Counseling Guidance of SMAN 6 Semarang, and Susyami Nahhari from SMAN 1 Balikpapan were very enthusiastic following this activity. As participants, they hoped to learn many things about Korea.
The Korean performing arts was opened with Samulnori performed by students of Korean Department. This traditional art used four musical instruments, Swae, Janggu, Buk, and Jing (gong). This art was often used for harvesting ceremony. Other traditional dances from Korea shown were Hansam dance (dance of handkerchief) and Buchae Chum (dance of fan).