The Islamic Communication and Broadcasting Department of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (KPI UMY) will send seven students to participate in student activities abroad. Five students will participate in an event that will be held in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) from August 24 to 27 2019, while two other students will participate in a youth program held by Daegu Health College, South Korea from 11 to 20 August 2019.

Eko Priyo Purnomo, M.Si., M.Res., Ph.D as the head of UMY’s Office of Cooperation stated that the youth program in South Korea will be attended by hundreds of other participants from various countries. During the program, the participants will discuss leadership issues for youth. He also stated that the five students in Malaysia will discuss many recent issues in the ASEAN region in an event titled ASEAN UNIVERSITY YOUTH SUMMIT 2019 (AUYS 2019).

“In that event, they will interact and mingle with participants from other countries. The theme of the activities will be about leadership. In addition, they will have the opportunity to learn about the native culture,” Eko stated when interviewed in his office on Tuesday (6/8).

Eko hopes that these programs can inspire other students to learn abroad. “I want to push students to participate not only in these types of programs but also other types as well. After participating in a short-term program, they should be able to motivate themselves and others to participate in longer programs. This is one of UMY’s targets to be more relevant in the international level,” The lecturer of UMY’s Governmental Sciences Department stated.

In addition, the head of KPI UMY Department, Twediana Budi Hapsari, S.Sos., M.Si., Ph.D stated that this program is a form of cooperation between UMY and the two colleges. The selection process for the student candidates was performed by the head of the department and the host of the activities. “For Daegu, the selection process and accommodation during their time there will be Daegu Health College’s responsibility. However, the selection process with UUM will be done in the department, because it is in direct cooperation between the Department and UUM,” Twediana stated.

The students who will be sent to UUM are Fajar Irawan Yoga, Fadila AL Firdausi, Syilvia Herlina, Luluk Arifatul Khofiyah, and Hanif Ariansyah. Meanwhile, the students who will go to Daegu are Mega Choerunnisa and Rahmi Ikrima Sari. (ak)