On the last Tuesday (19 July, 2016), Yogyakarta State University (YSU) welcomed 4 students from Thailand named Panawan Nison, Kunlayut Chuisri, Jirapa Upatham dan Sirisup Junampai who would be teaching in YSU partner school, namely SMP Negeri 1 Yogyakarta. The guests were warmly welcomed by Dr. Ing- Satoto E. Nayono, M.Eng.M.Sc. as the Director of the Office of International Affairs and Partnerships (OIAP), Dr. Sulis Triyono, M.Pd. as the Head of Field Practice Services, and the Headmaster of SMP Negeri 1 Yogyakarta. The 4 Thai students came from varying universities in Thailand: Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University (VRU), Thepsatri Rajabhat University (TRU), Chiang Rai Rajabhat University (CRU) and Surratthani Rajabhat University (SRU).

Dr. Ing- Satoto E. Nayono, M.Eng.M.Sc. suggested that such a program is part of Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia (SEA-Teacher Project) from SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) which aims to develop international insight in the education field, in the form of International Field Practice. This project is also to facilitate participants of SEA-Teacher Project to improve their skill in teaching professionally, as well as how to interact with students of Yogyakarta.

“There are 8 pillars (profession) that would be promoted in the ASEAN Economic Community, one of them is teachers,” he added.

The Thai students expressed their enthusiasm in getting the teaching experience in Yogyakarta, and were eager to start interacting with SMP Negeri 1 Yogyakarta students. The Headmaster of SMP Negeri 1 Yogyakarta also revealed the readiness of the school to accommodate international teaching practice. (andre)