From 14 to 16 October 2024, four of UNPAR’s international students from the 2024 batch of the Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship participated in the International Student Summit (ISS) in Surakarta, hosted by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Conducted annually and rotating between KNB’s host universities, ISS aims to welcome and familiarize the newest intake of the KNB awardees to Indonesia and the fundamentals of the KNB program. This year’s ISS was held under the theme: “Javanese Rhapsody: Weaving Culture, Creativity, and Solidarity.”
Through ISS, KNB awardees are given the opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia. With a particular focus on Javanese culture, the students got to try various traditional games, participated in a Batik workshop at Kampoeng Batik Laweyan, and even experienced a Jeep Adventure at Perkebunan Teh Kemuning, Gunung Lawu and Candi Cetho.
Nevertheless, the highlight of ISS 2024 was the range of competitions they engaged in. For the fashion show, Farah Wiam Saada from Algeria and Marcos Soares Da Silva from Timor Leste wore kebaya & pangsi to showcase Sundanese attire. Still going with the theme of Sundanese culture that represents UNPAR’s location in Bandung, Nencia Lolinha das Neves Da Costa from Timor Leste sang Manuk Dadali in the ISS 2024 singing competition. Finally, together with Antonio Da Costa from Timor Leste, all four of them created a really fun Instagram reel for the video competition that can be found at IO UNPAR’s Instagram here.
ISS 2024 was an unforgettable experience for UNPAR’s KNB awardees to immerse themselves in Indonesian culture as they start their first year of studying at UNPAR. Not only had they equipped themselves with KNB principles during the lecture sessions, they also learned so much more about their host country, Indonesia. UNPAR is honored to be part of the KNB scheme, especially as one of its founding members. We look forward to seeing the bright futures KNB will shape and bring to its awardees.
