Ready to fund 50 percent of students’ departure fee
The education sector is obviously cannot be left out in collaboration between East Java and West Australia. Through the Sister Provinces program, the two parties held various activities for both educators and students in the hope of strengthening their relationship. One of the activities is Student Mobility, a student exchange program that involves five universities owned by the government of West Australia and ten state universities in East Java, including UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur.
Dr. Dra. Wulan Retno Wigati, M. Pd, the Chair of the Language Center and the administrator of Foreign Affairs UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur, explained that this program aims to introduce each other to the culture of each region so that cultural understanding occurs between the two. In addition, students are expected to be able to hone their skills in communicate using foreign languages. While in Australia, the activities that will be carried out include academic observations and presenting what was recorded during the activity on the last day. The presentation will be contested for all participating university representatives from East Java.
She also explained that West Australia asked for two representatives from each of the ten state universities in East Java. “But because many people are interested, we are still negotiating with Australia whether we can send more than that. For now, we are still promoting it to the students,” said Wulan. Then UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur issued a policy so that each faculty send one representative to participate in this program, which would later pass an on-campus selection. Other than that, UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur is willing to bear 50 percent of the total cost of activities, which is Rp 25 million.
This cost includes flight ticket, lodging, meals, and activity costs. But the costs for making passport and visas are borne personally. Wulan said that UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur is still working on making visas with representatives from other universities that members of this program, including Universitas Airlangga, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS), Universitas Surabaya, Universitas Islam Negeri Surabaya, Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Negeri Malang, Universitas Islam Negeri Malang, Universitas Jember, dan Universitas Trunojoyo. The program will be held on 1-8 September 2019 in Australia. Meanwhile, on 23 June 2019, representatives from five universities in Western Australia will visit East Java. They are Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, University of Notre Dame, and The University of Western Australia.
This program is specifically for students in the fourth semester and above. Other than that, students who participate will be exempt from Field Work Practices (PKL). “Because this activity (Student Mobility program) is similar to PKL, therefore the participants will be released from from PKL as compensation,” said Wulan. Meanwhile, in a short time, training will be held in advance to strengthen the abilities of students who will go to Western Australia. UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur hope that the participating students can bring the name of UPNVJT to be the winner of the presentation competition in Australia.
This program was enthusiastically welcomed by the students. “UPNVJT is willing to provide opportunities for its students. I think it’s good, let alone helping to finance 50 percent,” said Ayu, an Agrotechnology student. “If possible, the program should not only be implemented in a week because it will not be enough. So, the students’ talents can be developed and channeled properly,” she added.
Source: UPN News