Almost four decades since its founding, Universitas Terbuka (UT) has consistently strengthened its presence both nationally and internationally. Along the way, UT has been consistent in improving the quality of its education to produce graduates who are excellent human resources. To achieve this, UT continues to collaborate with educational institutions and partners from the Business and Industry World (DUDI) to synergize and collaborate among related institutions and partners.
One of the international collaborations initiated by UT is the partnership between UT and Shanghai Open University (SOU). As one of its strategic partners, SOU, together with UT, continues to collaborate and synergize to enhance the quality of higher education, particularly in Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
To support this, SOU initiated a program called the Shanghai Open University (SOU) Immersion Hub 2024, a short-term international mobility program offered by SOU as a partner of UT. The SOU Immersion Hub lasts for two weeks and includes lessons in Chinese language and culture, exploration of Shanghai, and education regarding the local fashion and design industry. This program provides an excellent opportunity for UT students to broaden their global perspective, improve foreign language skills, and enhance cross-cultural understanding. The program is jointly organized by the Institute of International Exchange of SOU, The Shanghai Bridge, and the Shanghai International Fashion Education Center (SIFEC). It offers a series of courses, including Survival Chinese, Cultural Experience, and the Eastern Fashion Insight Workshop. Additionally, the program initiates 1-2 visits to cultural attractions and visits to fashion design companies in Shanghai each week, ensuring that every day in Shanghai is filled with rewards and excitement for the participating students.
After participating in the pre-departure briefing held by UT on Friday, June 21, 2024, a delegation of five UT students finally departed on Saturday, June 22, 2024, and arrived in Shanghai on June 23, 2024. The learning activities began on Monday, June 24, 2024, with an Opening Ceremony. During the first week of the program, students participated in Basic Mandarin Language classes, learning self-introductions, characters and numbers, and traditional calligraphy and painting in order to enhance their language and cultural understanding. Additionally, students took part in a series of fashion design activities, including several workshops and fashion company visits that increased their understanding of Chinese fashion culture, as well as a campus tour of the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai. Students also had the opportunity to tour Zhujiajiao, a water town that has stood for 1,700 years and is known as the Venice of China. In this program, students also expanded their global connections by interacting and establishing friendships with other international students.
Participating in an international mobility program is a source of pride, not only for UT but especially for the selected students. Joining an international mobility program is not just about “traveling,” but it holds more value to it. In addition to gaining experience interacting with international communities, students acquire knowledge and insights about local cultures, social networks from various countries, and, of course, enhance their capabilities and personal value, which are beneficial for their future.
