Universitas Terbuka (UT) conducted an international community service at Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Türkiye, on Thursday, May 23, 2024. This event was part of the EQUITY (Enhancing Quality Education for International University Recognition) program that aims to promote UT to acknowledge World Class University. The hybrid activity was conducted at the Faculty of Open Education Anadolu University and on Zoom Meeting as the online platform. This agenda was attended by the faculties, students, and staff of Anadolu University.
UT delegations were Fawzi Rahmadiyan Zuhairi, S.Si., M.Sc., the Expert Staff of Innovation, Business, and Investment; Siti Hadianti, S.Pd., M.Pd., the Head of English Education Department; Dra. Eko Kuswanti, M.Pd., the Manager of Development, Quality Control, and Risk Management at KPM; Isma Dwi Fiani, S.I.Kom., M.Si., Communication Department Lecturer; and Mira Aryani, M.Kom., Learning Resources and Services Data Analyst. Community service was part of the collaborative implementation between Universitas Terbuka and Anadolu University. It aims to strengthen the relationship between both universities through respective cultural appreciation and understanding.
The International Community Service, themed “Exploring Indonesian Culture,” was designed to promote Indonesian cultural diversity as part of the enhancement of intercultural relations. In this global era, cross-cultural understanding and cultural diversity appreciation are truly important to strengthen international relations. Through this opportunity, UT delegations hoped to share more knowledge related to Indonesia’s Cultural Diversity.
Started with a showcasing of Indonesian traditional attire, where UT delegations wear various traditional attires, such as Betawi, Bodo Makassar, Koto Gadang Minang, Cele Maluku, and Kalimantan traditional attires. Each delegation presented the history and symbolic purpose of each of the traditional attires to display the remarkable and precious Indonesian cultural diversity.
Moreover, the event continued to present an explanation of Indonesia’s geographic and demographic characteristics. As the biggest archipelago state in the world, Indonesia has more than 17.000 islands with various ethnicities, languages, and customs. This diversity makes Indonesia one of culturally diverse countries in the world.
In addition, Indonesia’s natural resources are a main highlight of this occasion as well. Indonesia is known for its high biological diversity with its various endemic flora and fauna. UT delegations promoted the importance of environment preservation and explained natural resource management to contribute to society in Indonesia. The participants were highly enthusiastic to know more about the flora and fauna conservation in Indonesia.
Next, the event then continued to discuss languages, traditions, and customs in Indonesia. Indonesia has more than 700 local languages which are still used in daily life. Every region has its unique traditions and traditions such as diverse traditional ceremonies, dance, and music. This illustrates how wealthy and diverse the culture is in Indonesia.
In promoting the Indonesia culinary session, UT delegations displayed Indonesia’s typical food, Rendang. The participants were excited to taste Sumatera Barat, a typical food that has obtained the best food label in the world by CNN. Even though it is classified as spicy food, the participants expressed positive responses to its rich and delicious taste.
This event had interactive activity for participants to be involved in Maumere dancing, from Sikka, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT).
This event involved participants in an interactive activity which was doing the Maumere dance, from Sikka, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). This dance was demonstrated as a popular dance for various events in Indonesia. The participants were invited to learn and follow the energetic and exciting Maumere dance, creating a warm atmosphere of togetherness during this activity.
The event was concluded lively and full of appreciation from the participants. Through this activity, it was hoped that the relationship between Universitas Terbuka and Anadolu University would be strengthened. Cultural understanding and appreciation are hoped to enhance better relations and broader collaboration in the future. Another International community service is hoped to be sustainable to enrich the knowledge and experience of participants, as well as strengthen international relations through education and culture.
