UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta received medical equipment assistance from Xihua University, China and textbooks for Mandarin language course from Hanban, Monday (28/9/2020). The assistance and grants were provided to assist the handling of Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia and to develop Mandarin language education in the globalization era.
The grants provided by Xihua University to UNS in the form of facemask and thermo-gun worth of Rp. 100 million and the grant provided by Hanban is in the form of Mandarin language textbook worth of Rp. 300 million. The grants were symbolically handed by the Director of Confucius Institute (CI) UNS, Stephanie Phanata, B.Ed., M.TCSOL to the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho witnessed by the Vice-Rector for Partnership and Planning Affairs UNS, Prof. Sajidan, Head of UNS International Office, Irwan Trinugroho, Ph. D, and the Head of Diploma Program of Mandarin Language (DIII) Vocational School (SV) UNS, Kristina Indah Setyo Rahayu, B.Ed., M.TCSOL.
Prof. Jamal conveyed his gratitude to Xihua University and stated that this grant is a commitment between Indonesia and China in handling the Covid-19 pandemic. The health equipment will be handed to UNS Hospital to be managed and used by medical staffs, while the textbook will be used to develop Mandarin language course in Indonesia. Before the Party Secretary Xihua University, Bian Huimin and the Board of Commissioners Xihua University, Prof. Jamal stated that the textbook grants for Mandarin language to UNS are a special thing because this September, China will commemorate Teacher’s Day on 10 September and the Birthday of Confucius, philosopher and education figure 28 September.
Prof. Jamal stated that teacher is a central figure which is important for the moral development of the nation’s generation. Therefore, the teacher is unsung heroes who play an important role in the intellectual life of the people of the nation and state. While education is the source of all knowledge. On this occasion, Party Secretary Xihua University, Bian Huimin, also delivered his remark. Through Zoom Cloud Meeting, he stated that the aids and grants are is one of several forms of cooperation between CI UNS and Xihua University. For example, some time ago, CI UNS and Xihua University held a Cloud Summer Camp and Free Trial Cloud Mandarin Course joined by the students of Diploma Program of Mandarin Language (DIII) SV UNS and the general public.
Bian Huimin stated that during the Covid-19 pandemic, his side is committed to being ready to establish closer cooperation with UNS in overcoming this health crisis. “Therefore, our part, in particular, has collected some things to support UNS in handling this pandemic. I hope that under the leadership of Prof. Jamal, UNS can handle the Covid-19 pandemic as quickly as possible and hold face-to-face lecture activities as soon as possible,” Bian Huimin stated. Humas UNS
Reporter: Yefta Christopherus AS
Editor: Dwi Hastuti