In order to conduct the third field work program, Regional Development Studies Programme, Faculty of Geography paid a visit to Malaysia. During the visit the Student Executive Board of Faculty of Geography, Malaysian Student, and the Association of Geography University of Malaya Malaysia held a joint seminar entitled How Students View the Urban Management Through Community Development in Kuala Lumpur.
The seminar which took place in Conference Room of Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Science, 3rd floor of University Malaya, on 27 September 2011, is an attempt to open the view of students in observing the urban problems in Kuala Lumpur. Various problems in the city needs the role of students, especially those currently studying the subject for the development of Indonesia and Malaysia.
M. Izzudin, Student Executive Board Chairman of the UGM Faculty of Geography, explains that the Indonesia-Malaysia Student seminar presented four speakers from the UGM Faculty of Geography, who delivered the idea associated with urban development in Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, two other speakers from the University of Malaya Department of Geography were criticising the accuracy of data and field observations. "Especially, the accuracy of the data and observations in view of the Malaysian students who had lived in Kuala Lumpur," said Izzudin.
Izzudin and Mohd. Firdaus, Chairman of the Association of Geography University of Malaya, have the same hope. Various activities to exchange opinion and insight, such as seminars across countries, are expected to increase because this kind of seminar and discussion will open the horizon of participants to share experiences in overcoming existing problems in their respective countries. “Such big agendas are certainly owned by Geography students throughout ASEAN and in line with the internationalization vision of the Faculty of Geography," said Izzudin who was accompanied by Mohd. Firdaus.
The seminar was opened with General Lecture given by Prof. Mehar S. Gill from the University Malaya on cultural fabrics of India. On this occasion, Prof. Mehar compares the current condition of Indonesia and India. As a developing country, India and Indonesia have nearly the same complexity of the problems due to high population. Meanwhile, Dr. Baiquni, M.A, Chairman of the UGM Center for Tourism Studies, elaborated tourism attractions in Indonesia. He concluded that there are still many tourists around the world who are interested in visiting Indonesia, especially for marine attractions in the East area of the country which is still considered natural.