Faculty of Languages and Arts (FLA), Yogyakarta State University (YSU) together with 4 other universities namely Bina Nusantara University Jakarta, Syiah Kuala University Aceh, Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic State University Jakarta, and Catholic Widya Mandala University Surabaya in collaboration with Stiching Hoger Ondervijs Nederland, Erhversakademi Aarhus Denmark, Uniwersytet Gdanski Poland, and Universidad De Sevilla Spain have recently conducted INDOPED “Modernizing Indonesian Higher Education with Tested European Pedagogical Practices”.

Turun Ammattikorkeakoulu Oy or Turku University acted as the event coordinator. The aim of this event was to make more effective and interesting learning by applying several methods implemented in Europe, such as Innovation Camp, Project Hatchery, Story Telling, Learning by Teaching, Drama, Effectuation, and Rubric.

5 lecturers from FLA YSU, namely Dr. Widyastuti Purbani as team manager, Herman, M.Pd., Tri Sugiarto, M.Hum., Svenja Volkert , and Venny Indria Ekowati, M.Litt attended the event for three days (12-14/4). The participants were invited to have workshop on public policy, program guidelines, method implementation, financial report, and others. The opening ceremony was held on Tuesday (12/4).

Prof. Dr. Ir. Harjanto Prabowo, M.M. (Rector of Bina Nusantara University Jakarta) as the host of the event welcomed all the participants. The welcome speech proceeded to general instruction by professionals from several related fields, namely Charles-Michel Geurts (The Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union), Dr. Vesa Taatila (The Rector of TUAS), Patdono Suwignjo, Ph.D. (The General Director of Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education), Emirsyah Satar (Vice Chairman of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce for International Economic Communication), Novistiar Rustandi, MBA, M.Si, St., Tri Asih Budiono (The Director of Academic Development Binus International), and Harri Lappalainen (The Head of Indoped Project). Based on the instruction, in the future lecturers must be able to anticipate several opportunities and challenges that students will face. The modern lecturers should not only to teach in class, but also to act as facilitators. Students are encouraged to play and dominate the class according to Student Centered Learning principle.

Patdono Suwignjo from Directorate General of Institution, Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, revealed job seeking is competitive and tough, thus forces graduates to improve competence, skill, and attitude. The ministry fully supported INDOPED as the agenda was in line with the vision and mission of the ministry, namely to produce highly skilled and educated labors. INDOPED was expected to produce more innovative and good attitude graduates.

The teaching methods proposed in INDOPED would be soon adapted by FLA YSU in the student learning process. Before implementation, there would be several workshops to socialize and familiarize the methods so that lecturers and students are ready to implement. (VIE)