A delegation from Western Sydney University (WSU) Australia consisting of 6 students and 2 lecturers is currently participating in a short course program at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY). The program is designed to provide academic and cultural experiences to participants through various learning activities and field visits.
On Thursday afternoon, the WSU delegation visited the Regional Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA) of DIY. In a brief discussion that took place from 13:30 to 15:30, the BAPPEDA team explained various poverty reduction programs in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, including direct financial assistance, distribution of basic necessities, educational scholarships, and micro-economic empowerment programs.
After the visit to BAPPEDA, the delegation continued their activities by visiting the Vredeburg Fort Museum. There, the participants gained valuable experience learning about Indonesia's colonial history and the nation's struggle for independence. They toured the museum accompanied by a guide who explained the various historical collections, struggle dioramas, and Dutch colonial artifacts preserved in this fortress.
"Vredeburg Fort is a silent witness to Indonesia's independence struggle and has very high historical value. This museum houses many collections that depict the fighting spirit of the Indonesian people against colonization," the museum guide explained to the WSU delegation.
The visit continued to Hamzah Batik on Malioboro Street, one of the renowned batik craft centers in Yogyakarta. At this location, the WSU delegation had the opportunity to witness firsthand the process of making hand-drawn batik, from patterning, waxing, coloring, to drying. The students and lecturers from Australia appeared enthusiastic about trying to create their own batik patterns with guidance from local craftsmen.
In addition to gaining knowledge about the batik-making process, the delegation also shopped for various quality batik products as souvenirs. Hamzah Batik offers a variety of batik products not only in the form of cloth and clothing but also accessories and other decorative items that attract international visitors.
This short course program represents the international cooperation between UNY and WSU aimed at strengthening inter-institutional relationships and providing cross-cultural learning experiences for its participants.
