Deepening International Insight, Eleven FMIPA UI Students Visit Taiwan

Eleven students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) who are participants in the 2023 Indonesian Student Mobility (ISM) program departed for Taiwan on Sunday (1/10). The week-long activity was carried out in order to provide learning experiences and international insights to participants, as well as deepen their understanding of education and culture in Taiwan.

ISM is an international mobility program of FMIPA UI which is intended for students, to develop potential and competencies that are relevant to global challenges, through educational, social, and cultural activities abroad.

Previously, the eleven students had participated in the selection process held by FMIPA UI through the Student Affairs unit on August 21-26, 2023. The selection stage consisted of administrative selection and interviews.

During the activities in Taiwan, they were accompanied by a number of faculty leaders and lecturers, namely Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Budiawan (Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs) Dr. Dewi Susiloningtyas, M.Si. (Student Manager), Twin Hosea W. Kristyanto. M.T. (Lecturer in the Geology Study Program), and one of the mentors from the Student Affairs unit Bintang Mahakarya Sembahen, S.Si.

"The 2023 ISM FMIPA UI program is designed to provide our students with broad insights into education, society, and culture in Taiwan," said Prof. Dede Djuhana, Ph.D., Dean of FMIPA UI to the FMIPA UI public relations team during the farewell event for ISM 2023 participants, Friday (29/9), at the UI Campus, Depok.

Prof. Dede emphasized to the eleven students to carry out this activity as well as possible, as an opportunity to develop academic knowledge, build international networks, increase social awareness, and get to know the local culture and heritage there.

The series of activities began with visiting the Yuan Ze University (YZU) campus on Monday (2/10). There, the group of students were welcomed by Prof. Yun-Chia Liang as Chief of Global Affairs Office YZU, and then the group was guided by Mr. Dipta Purwadaria as International Liaison from Global Affairs Office YZU in conducting a campus tour and visiting the laboratory. The students also had the opportunity to attend a public lecture on Natural Science and Astronomy delivered by Po-Chieh Yu.

On the same day, students had the opportunity to hold community service activities (Pengmas), through counseling on earthquake disaster mitigation using the Creative Hazard Education earthquake series (CREDO-E) method, to the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) in Taiwan and PPI YZU. This innovation was initiated by a lecturer from the Geology Study Program, namely Twin Hosea W. Kristyanto. M.T.

On the next day, Tuesday (3/10), the activity continued by visiting the College of Life Science and Department of Physics of National Taiwan University (NTU), the students were warmly welcomed by Prof. Bor-Luen Chiang as Dean of College of Life Science and Pao-Ti Chang, Chairman of Department of Physics NTU. They also visited the Zoology Museum and the NTU History Museum.

At NTU, students again held community service activities. This community service was about financial literacy and insurance investment aimed at the Indonesian Student Association in Taiwan (Perpita).

Rabu (4/10), kunjungan berlanjut ke National Palace Museum dan Shilin Night Market to understand more about the history and development of Taiwanese culture. Students also visited the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office (KDEI) in Taipei to socialize, and understand the duties and functions of the Indonesian government representatives in Taiwan on Thursday (5/10). At KDEI, the group from FMIPA UI was welcomed directly by the Head of KDEI Taipei, Iqbal S. Shofwan.

The end of the ISM 2023 series of activities in Taiwan was marked by exploring the geological riches of northern Taiwan, including Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, and Shifen, which are famous for their unique geological formations, on Friday (6/10).

FMIPA UI Student Affairs Manager Dr. Dewi Susiloningtyas, M.Sc., said that the 2023 ISM FMIPA UI program succeeded in providing good international insight to students and motivating them to become globally competitive individuals.

"After seven days of in-depth and diverse activities, FMIPA UI students returned on October 7, bringing home valuable experiences, strong friendships, broader knowledge, and formed characters, thus forming a high spirit to have competitiveness at the global level," he said.

News source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/