A Glimpse of International Students Summit (ISS) 2022
From 28th – 30th November 2022, the Indonesia Ministry of
Education and Culture held an annual event called the International Students
Summit (ISS) 2022. ISS is a program that is held for the awarding of the
Developing County Partnership Scholarship (Beasiswa Kemitraan Negara
Berkembang). The Developing County Partnership Scholarship is a scholarship
program offered by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia for
international students from developing countries. The Indonesia Ministry of
Education and Culture aims to introduce Indonesian culture to the awardees
through the International Students Summit. Thus, they can be the representative
of Indonesia back to their county.
This year, International Students Summit was held in
Malang, East Java. The Muhammadiyah University of Malang became the host of
this event. Hundreds of international students from more than forty countries
came to this event. They are Developing County Partnership Scholarship awardees
of 2021 who currently study at various universities all over Indonesia. As one
of the universities for the Developing County Partnership Scholarship Awardee,
Surabaya State University participated in this program.
There were several activities on the first day (28th
November 2022). After joining the opening ceremony, the participants were
invited to the seminar with the theme "Cultural Diversity and Social Connection
of International Students." This seminar was followed by a focus group
discussion that broke the participants into small groups. In the evening, there
was a cultural performance. This cultural performance was held at The
Sendratari Arjuna Wiwaha. Mrs. Dewanti Rumpoko, mayor of Batu City, also
attended this agenda.
On the second day (29th November 2022), the activities
were focused on Indonesia's cultural side. There was a cultural carnival with a
marching band performance from The Muhammadiyah University of Malang. After
that, the participants joined the Indonesian traditional game tournament.
Along with traditional fashion shows, there was an Indonesian folklore contest.
The international students were very excited to join the second-day agenda.
On the last day (30th November 2022), all participants
joined a field trip before the closing of the ISS program. Based on the
schedule, there was Jatim Park, as the tourism destination, had been chosen to
be the destination for the field trip. Jatim Park is a well-known recreational
park in East Java.
This year's ISS is the first offline ISS event after the pandemic. Therefore, everyone is happy and excited. This year's ISS program is like an oasis for every one filled with longing for the ISS event after the COVID-19 pandemic. "Through this ISS event in 2022, I can say that Indonesia knows how to preserve its cultural values. We all like to try Indonesian games, dances, and music. All games, gala dinners, hotels, I miss them now," said Vatosoa, one of the KNB Awardees who is currently pursuing a master's degree at Surabaya State University.
See you at the next ISS program in 2023!
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Writer: Anggi Ratri Anggoro Kasih
Editor: Zanida Aishabilla
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