Indonesia
Every Saturday and Sunday for a semester, the students of Merdeka Student Exchange or Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka (PMM) 4 at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) not only study in their respective faculties but also gain knowledge about the history, culture, and tourism of Malang City and its surroundings. This activity is called the Nusantara Module.
Organised by the Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) UB, the Nusantara Module is a series of activities designed to create a comprehensive understanding of diversity, inspiration, reflection, and social contribution through sequential and iterative mentoring.
Diversity involves exploring or visiting historical and cultural sites. In this activity, PMM 4 UB students visited temples, museums (Mpu Purwa Museum, Ganesha Museum, Pandji Museum, Brawijaya Museum, Music Museum), Malang City landmarks (City Hall, City Square, Warna-warni Village, Kayutangan Heritage Village), and houses of worship. These diversity activities were conducted eight times.
Inspiration includes participating in talk show activities featuring regional cultural and inspirational figures. This activity was conducted twice, both on and off campus (at a local café in Malang).
Reflection focuses on understanding and appreciating diversity by reflecting on experiences. This was done through five meetings where students shared their learnings from visits to tourist sites in Malang and its surroundings, including Hawaii Waterpark, Wonosari Tea Garden, Malang Dreamland, Mount Bromo, and various beaches.
Social Contribution involves students engaging in social activities at the host university, culminating in the Cultural Festival and the Farewell of Batch 4 Inbound Independent Student Exchange of Universitas Brawijaya, held on Friday (21/6/2024) at the UB Auditorium.
The Dean of FCS UB, Hamamah, Ph.D., delivered her messages through A. Syarifuddin Rohman, S.Pd., M.Pd., a Lecturer of the Study Programme of Fine Arts, and a lecturer of the PMM 4 UB Nusantara Module, at the Cultural Festival and Farewell event.
“The Nusantara Module is a tangible manifestation of the commitment of the government, UB, and FCS to preserve and develop our culture. This programme not only enriches your knowledge and insight into the cultural diversity of the archipelago but also instils the values of diversity that are essential in building a harmonious and respectful Indonesian society,” she said.
“As the nation’s next generation, you have a vital role in cultural preservation. In the era of rapid globalisation, we face the challenge of maintaining our cultural identity amidst the flow of foreign cultures. Therefore, I hope that through the experience and knowledge you gain from this Nusantara Module, you can become cultural ambassadors who promote and preserve the richness of Indonesian culture, both at home and abroad,” she hoped.
“This activity is the first step for you to learn, understand, and love your own culture. Make this experience a foundation for continuing to explore and develop our cultural potential. Never hesitate to innovate and create. The future of the nation’s culture is in your hands,” Hamamah concluded. [trans.dts/ed.al/vidya/PR FCS]