UNS – Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta warmly welcomed nine students from Kokushikan University, Japan. Their arrival marked the opening of the Discover Indonesia Better (DIB) Short Course 2025. The opening ceremony was on Friday (8/8/2025) at the Sky Lounge, 9th Floor of the UNS Tower.
The Head of UNS Subdirectorate for International Services, Elisa Herawati, S.Si., M.Eng., Ph.D.; Representative of Kokushikan University, Dr. Jakfar Idrus; Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UNS, Dr. Dwi Susanto, S.S., M.Hum.; nine Kokushikan University students; and other guests attended the event.
Report from the Head of the UNS Subdirectorate for International Services
The event continued with a program report delivered by the Head of the UNS Subdirectorate for International Services, Elisa Herawati, S.Si., M.Eng., Ph.D. She explained that the DIB Short Course has been running since 2023. Elisa added that the program is based on a collaboration between the UNS Subdirectorate for International Services and Kokushikan University, Japan.
“The DIB program is a short course privately organized at the request of Kokushikan University students. In its first implementation, the program was joined by 51 students. This year, nine students from the Asian Studies Program, Faculty of 21st Century Asia, Kokushikan University are taking part in the short course,” she said.
She further noted that the nine students will stay in Solo for about one month. During the program, they will study Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA), participate in field trips, visit heritage sites, and join village visits. This year, BIPA learning includes village visits to help participants engage more closely with local communities while gaining broader cultural experiences.
Furthermore, Elisa also mentioned that UNS has strengthened ties with Kokushikan University through visits and by sending two UNS students for outbound programs. The students studied at the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of 21st Century Asia. Closing her report, she expressed her hope that the Kokushikan students would enjoy their stay in Solo and gain valuable experiences from the program.
Remarks from the Representative of Kokushikan University
The atmosphere was further enlivened by a welcome address from Kokushikan University’s representative, Dr. Jakfar Idrus. In his remarks, he said that UNS, particularly the Subdirectorate for International Services, had helped organize the program. He explained that the nine short-course participants joined the program as part of a compulsory subject in their study program. The course focuses on Indonesian Culture, which requires students to live in the destination country in line with the course material.
Dr. Jakfar then introduced the nine students to all the guests present. He hoped that the UNS Subdirectorate for International Services would provide various forms of support while learning Indonesian culture, particularly Javanese culture. He conveyed this hope as he concluded his remarks.
The event continued with a brief explanation on BIPA delivered by the Dean of FIB UNS, Dr. Dwi Susanto, S.S., M.Hum. His remarks also marked the conclusion of the opening ceremony and the welcoming of the DIB Short Course 2025 participants.
Humas UNS
