UNS — The Rector of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, opened ‘The 1st International Seminar on Chinese Language Education 2020’ webinar, Friday morning (6/11/2020), through Zoom Cloud Meeting. This webinar was held by the collaboration between the Center for Mandarin Language (PBM) UNS and Xihua University, China.
In this webinar, Prof. Jamal was accompanied by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs UNS, Prof. Ahmad Yunus, Vice-Rector for Partnership and Planning Affairs UNS, Prof. Sajidan, the Head of UNS International Office, Irwan Trinugroho, Ph. D and the Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) UNS, Prof. Warto. Also attending the occasion online was the Rector of Xihua University, Liu Shugen, Deputy Consulate General (Konjen) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Liu Qiang, Director of Confucius Institute (CI) UNS, Stephanie Phanata, B. Ed., MTCSOL and the Head of Mandarin Language Diploma Program (D-3) of the Vocational School (SV) UNS, Kristina Indah, B. Ed., MTCSOL.
To the university executive board, invited guests, and participants of the webinar, Prof. Jamal appreciated the event held by PBM UNS. He conveyed that this webinar is evidence of warm collaboration between UNS and Xihua University, China. “This is a very good event and hopefully in the future, it can become a routine agenda, especially a webinar which prove a real collaboration between UNS and Xihua University,” Prof. Jamal stated. Prof. Jamal added that during the Covid-19 pandemic which still sweeping Indonesia and the world, educators are demanded to adapt to the online learning model which prioritize the use of technology.
Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a crisis in health, economic and ignite a change in cultures in people’s life, Prof. Jamal beliefs that the education sector will be adaptive in facing the existing dynamics, especially in meeting the demand of Merdeka Belajar Program (Independent Learning), promoted by the Minister of Education and Culture (Mendikbud) RI, Nadiem Makarim. Prof. Jamal added that a healthy education at least should and can meet the demand of the era, especially concerning the rapid changes for the future. “This means, education nowadays must adapt with the rapid changes including the changes in the habits because the world is struck by the pandemic,” Prof. Jamal continued.
At the end of his remark, Prof. Jamal conveyed his gratitude to all managing committee and all parties who offered hands and actively involved in the 1st International Seminar on Chinese Language Education 2020 webinar. Prof. Jamal hopes that PBM UNS consistently held webinar or training on Mandarin language and Chinese cultures to maintain the strong collaboration between UNS and Xihua University. “Allow me to convey my gratitude to the executive board of Xihua University, speakers, invited guests, PBM UNS, and its teaching staffs. Hopefully, this discussion can be used as reference and suggestions in improving and perfecting Mandarin language learning in UNS, and particularly in Indonesia,” he stated.
In the 1st International Seminar on Chinese Language Education 2020 webinar, PBM UNS invited several speakers from national and international institutions. The speakers are Mr. Guo Fuliang (Director of CI Universiti Malaysia, Pahang), Mrs. Tian Hua (Director of CI University Korea), Mr. Pichai Kaewbut, Ph. D (Head of Chinese for Business International College Surat Thani Campus, Prince of SongKla University), Dr. Herman (the Head of Mandarin Language Program Association Indonesia), and Yudi Sutanto, Ph. D (President of Indonesian Trilingual School Foundation). Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
