The KBM Program Holds a Study Visit and Expands International Cooperation to Malaysia
Study Program of Cultural and Media Studies (KBM Program), Graduate School, Universitas Gadjah Mada, has conducted a series of academic activities on May 19-24, 2024. Students, lecturers, and educational staff carried out field lectures, study visits, joint seminars, and student presentations at Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The activities aimed to enhance scholarly insight, expand networks, and strengthen the position of the KBM Program at the ASEAN and international levels.
The activities commenced with a field lecture to Malacca (20/05) with students and lecturers from UM. Field lectures also took place at various historical and cultural sites in Penang to observe the cultural diversity influencing the local community. One of the visited places was Fort Cornwallis, a cultural heritage of British colonialism with numerous cannons inside. Currently, the building is often used for parties and even product launches.
"During my trip to Malaysia, I was impressed by the cultural heritage of various ethnicities there, evident in language, food, art, traditions, and architecture, which is a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other indigenous peoples. It was a valuable experience to see Malaysia as part of British colonialism through the remnants of buildings with complex histories," said Fani, a Master's student of the KBM Program, class of 2022.
Collaborating with the Malay Excellence Studies Center, lecturers from the KBM Program and UM conducted a joint seminar on post-colonialism topics held at the Auditorium of UM Malay Studies Academy (21/05). Meanwhile, student representatives from both universities presented their critical paradigm knowledge dissemination at the Colloquium of Students' Researches. During this occasion, a collaboration agreement was also signed with UM Malay Studies Academy in the field of research and student and lecturer exchanges.
During the visit to USM (23/05), the study tour participants were shown various learning facilities available there. The visit was warmly welcomed by Dr. Boo Harn Shian, Deputy Dean of Academic, Career, and International Affairs at USM. USM and the KBM Program also held discussions regarding curriculum development and student learning. As a representative of USM, Dr. Boo opened opportunities for future collaboration with the KBM Program.
Dr. Budiawan, Chair of the KBM S3 Program, expressed this study tour as an opportunity to exchange experiences and an effort by the KBM Program to build curriculum internationalization. Through this study tour, many aspects could be implemented to enhance academic capacity in the KBM Program.
Asmi Nuraisyah, a Master's student of the KBM Program currently working on her thesis, thanked the KBM UGM academic community for organizing this opportunity. Asmi expressed that study tour activities could be used to survey the learning atmosphere at Malaysian campuses and even provide references for future studies.
Keywords: Cultural Diversity; Cultural Heritage; Academic Capacity Building; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Author: Asti Rahmaningrum
Image: Latif Nuriyawan