To monitor and review performance of the Unit of International Affairs and Parnerships (UIAP) funtions, last Friday (11/12/2015), the Office of International Affairs and Partnerships (OIAP), Yogyakarta State University (YSU) carried out Monitoring and Evaluation on UIAP Performance, in Main Meeting Room, YSU Rectorate building. Facilitating the agenda were Prof. Suwarsih Madya, Ph.D, Dr.ing Satoto Endar Nayono, M.Eng., M.Sc., Losina Purnastuti, SE., M.Ec.Dev., Ph.D., Endah Retnowati, M.Ed., Ph.D, and Nur Insani, M.Sc.

At the beginning, Prof. Suwarsih Madya shared some strategies in building cooperation with international partner organization. “We have to know, when to declare ‘Yes, we are ready to cooperate’”, she said. Therefore, she pointed out the significance of having a strategic plan, proper training, and highly competent personnels.

The agenda became a momentum for UIAP staff members in the faculty level to show their performace during one year. They were also allowed to express their remonstranc e and constraints they faced in becoming UIAP staff people. One of staff members of UIAP from Faculty of Economics asserted “UIAP still ages one year, so we sometimes get confused with the organization structure”.

Meanwhile, a UIAP staff person from faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences stated the performance of UIAP in the faculty has been in accordance with what is suggested, proven with high intensity for networking with foreign partners, joint-workshop, and delegation of some students to sit-in several overseas universities. Nevertheless, she also stated some constrains, such as in terms of funding and language in use. For example, when collaborating with a Thailand university, they sometimes insert Thai language during conversation that is unable to be understood by YSU staff members.

In response to those input and feedback, Dr. ing Satoto Endar Nayono, M.Eng., M.Sc. as Head of The Office of International Affairs and Partnerships, YSU would consult the YSU Rector to support and strengthen the existence of UIAP. In the occasion, he also suggested all UIAP staff members to pay more attention to English-version website, as in Today’s era, website becomes the spearhead of promotion of a university. (Wulan)