LKUI UMSU has been able to carry out and participate in a number of activities related to internationalization, including the sending of a number of UMSU Faculty of Agriculture students to Japan.
The Institute for International Cooperation and Affairs (LKUI) of the Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) held an “Volunteer in Action Training” event. This activity was held at the UMSU School of Medicine Campus, Jalan Gedung Arca, Medan, Saturday to Sunday (1-2 / 12/2018).
Chairperson of LKUI UMSU, Dr. Eka Airlangga M.Ked (Ped) Sp.A explained that this activity was a series of LKUI UMSU programs which had been pro actively coordinating with each of the Faculty leaders and Study Programs in order to campaign the importance of internationalization. “So, this time we try directly to the students. Through this activity we invite them to actively participate in activities about the importance of understanding related to internationalization, “Eka said during a speech at the opening ceremony of the event.
Eka further stated that the actual existence of foreign students studying at UMSU had been around since the 90s, but intensive internationalization activities had only been implemented since 2016.
Since 2016, said Eka, thank God LKUI UMSU has been able to implement and participate in a number of activities related to internationalization, including the sending of a number of UMSU Faculty of Agriculture students to Japan. UMSU has also realized two batches of the International KKN program to Thailand by sending almost 100 students from the Faculty of Islam. Then take part in the Southeast Asian Teacher Candidates Exchange program from FKIP.
“We have also been actively involved in summer-camp activities in Yogyakarta, Medan and Takengon,” he said.
Then, Eka also explained, that the concept of Internationalization at the Muhammadiyah / Aisyiyah College (PTMA) had its own characteristics. “We are not only focused on developing IQ (Intelligent Quotient) and Eot (Emotional Quotient), but we also pay attention to the importance of instilling SQ (spiritual quotient) which contains Islamic and Muhammadiyah values that are character and characteristics we are typical of Muhammadiyah’s universities, “explained EKA.
In addition, according to Eka, LKUI activities are actually not only related to student activities, but also closely related to supporting academic life. “Therefore, of course, the activities that we will hold in two days are very important to improve students’ academic insights, especially related to the internationalization or introduction of the outside world from an early age,” he said.
“We hope that the four trainers from ITS International Office can transmit their knowledge and share their experiences on internationalization to their friends, UMSU students who participated in this activity,” he concluded.
Not Just Joining
Meanwhile, UMSU Deputy Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Arifin Gultom, SH MHum, in his direction said that UMSU was determined to make campus internationalization activities one of the sectors that would be prioritized in the future.
“The question of internationalization is that we are not just joining in, but we will manifest it in concrete policies and programs,” he said.
Arifin explained, that the future internationalization of the campus was an inevitable necessity, especially to deal with the tendency of the contemporary globalization era which was marked by the emergence of the amazing Industrial Revolution 4.0 era.
In addition, said Arifin, competition in the global world is increasingly competitive, so that it still exists and can be calculated, it certainly requires the world of education, especially universities, to be able to prepare themselves to face the reality of challenges and at the same time be such opportunities.
“Therefore, we appreciate and strongly support the policy on internationalization of PTM which was initiated and promoted by the Muhammadiyah Diktilitbang PP. This is a strategic program, “he said.
Arifin further revealed that prior to internationalization was not so prominent and was still dominated by lecturers. However, in the past few years, the acceleration of LKUI’s activities as a driving force for the internationalization program at UMSU seems to have shown considerable pride. “And even more encouraging, later internationalization activities have begun to involve students. One of them is the program today, “Arifin said.
Arifin admitted that in the future the work of LKUI UMSU was indeed very big and heavy. But he believes that with the support of the University leadership’s commitment and the work of all LKUI administrators, the challenge will certainly be overcome.
The Volunteer in Action Training program which is planned to be held for two days, Saturday-Sunday (! -2/12/2018) was attended by around 100 participants from almost all the Faculties at UMSU.
And related to the training material, LKUI collaborated with ITS International Office to send four trainers, namely Rafli R Ramadhan, Tyas Wahyu Pramesti, Nanda Pebri Prayogo Brigitta Mayori Princess. (RSFN)
