(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

TANGERANG –  On Tuesday (08/11/22), UMN welcomes UCSI Malaysia to the UMN campus. The visit is done to discuss potential partnership ideas and for Dr. Hanafi Bin Hamzah, the Dean and an Associate Professor of Tourism Planning and Development at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management at UCSI, to speak as a guest lecturer for UMN Hospitality students.

The meeting was attended by several UMN and UCSI representatives. From UMN: Prof. Dr. Muliawati Siswanto (Vice Chancellor of Relations and Cooperations); Dr. Ir. P. M. Winarno, M.Kom. (Director of the Institute for Research and Community Service); Muhammad Cahya Mulya Daulay, S.Sn., M.Ds. (Dean of Faculty of Arts & Design); and Boby Arinto, S.E., M.M., (Global Office Manager). 

From UCSI: Dr. Hanafi Bin Hamzah (Dean and an Associate Professor of Tourism Planning and Development at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management) and Erwina A. Chafar (Director of Global Engagement Office). 

Also read: Sharing Session: UCSI University Postgraduate Programs.

(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

Hanafi shared that in 2023, UCSI will be offering four new programs. “In January, a PhD, Doctorate Hospitality and Tourism, Diploma for Pastry & Bakery, and Master in Gastronomy; which will be the first in Malaysia. Also, in September, a Bachelor Honors for Global Sustainable Tourism Program,” he shared. In addition, there’s a possibility that two of the programs will be in collaboration with a university in Paris.

Both parties have previously discussed potential partnership ideas. Hanafi would love for UCSI and UMN to proceed with a mobility program and student exchange where students from UMN can study at UCSI for one semester and vice versa. This is the best idea as it is the fastest and cheapest way to conduct the student exchange.

“This is what’s most realistic. Where students will come to Malaysia and study three to four subjects for one semester, and for another semester we will guide them to our industry partners to conduct an internship in Malaysia. Similarly, UCSI students can come to UMN to study and intern with UMN industry partners,” Hanafi said. This is especially for UCSI Architecture students as they must do their internship abroad.

Muliawati highly accepts the suggestion. UMN is familiar with student exchanges. She shared that five international students from various nationalities are currently studying at UMN, with more international students coming next year. 

She then asked about the possibility of when the student exchange could be realized, and UCSI representatives gave an enthusiastic answer.

“If the students are ready, we could realize it tomorrow,” said Erwina, bringing smiles and laughter to the room. Hanafi added that the plan could be realized as soon as January, as it is not difficult to conduct a student exchange, as both universities are experienced. 

(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

UCSI Representatives also added that the collaboration is not limited to student exchanges. They would also like to conduct lectures where lecturers from each university could become a guest/visiting lecturer and conduct joint research.

In the same opportunity, Hanafi also unofficially invites UMN to invite their students to join UCSI’s cooking competition. The competition is estimated to be held in May or June next year, open to international students. There are two competitions: “Young Chef Culinary Competition 2.0” for first-year students and “Big Chef Competition” for final-year students.

“We would like to extend the competition to UMN. There’s also a possibility that students from Paris will come. This is an opportunity for Indonesian students to go abroad and compete in Malaysia,” Hanafi said. It is advised that students stay in Malaysia for roughly a month as there will be workshops and training, especially for the “Big Chef Competition.”

UMN positively responds to all the ideas. The most probable idea is the student and lecturer exchange that could be realized as soon as January (or the next day, as Erwina said). It is hoped that the ideas could be quickly conducted and benefit both parties academically and socially.

By Levina Chrestella Theodora

English translation by Levina Chrestella Theodora

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