YOGYAKARTA- UGM followed ASEAN Youth Cultural Forum (AYCF) in Brunei Darussalam from 6-11 October 2012. AYCF is one of the regular activities organized by the ASEAN University Network (AUN), a network between universities in ASEAN based in Bangkok, Thailand. AYCF is a promotion and cultural exchange event between countries in ASEAN, where cultural ambassadors represent their countries in a forum.
UGM delegates’ supervisor, Drs. Tri Kuntoro Priyambodo, M.Sc., said at the event UGM sent delegates, namely Diah Nikmahayati (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences), Christine Anita Wardaningrum (Faculty of Dentistry), Kezia Elisabeth Ambara (Faculty of Engineering), Ari Aji Cahyono (Faculty of Agriculture) and Karina Arifiani (Faculty of Medicine).
"This is a cultural forum that aims to strengthen ties between ASEAN countries in particular," Tri Kuntoro said, Tuesday (23/10).
Tri Kuntoro explained the tenth AYCF was held at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) in the capital of Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan. The tenth AYCF was attended by 156 participants and officers who came from 26 ASEAN universities. According to Tri Kuntoro, the cultural observers not only come from ASEAN countries but also from other parts of the world.
"This is an effective way to introduce the culture of ASEAN countries in the international community," Tri said.
Tri Kuntoro added some events were held in the series of events AYCF, namely the reception at the Gala Dinner, Opening Ceremony (the performance of each delegation), lecturing and a workshop on cultural cooperation (partnering) between the two delegations (university), and Partnering Performances, round-trip and Closing Ceremony which showed the results of lecturing and workshops. UGM Delegates at the event performed some arts: a duet singing Javanese songs and Puspa Resti Balinese Dance.
"This forum is expected to create room for countries to introduce their culture," the lecturer of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences conveyed.