Pagelaran Budaya Nusantara Meriahkan Penutupan Program PMM Angkatan 2 Inbound UNIDA

The closing of the Merdeka Student Exchange Program (PMM) Batch 2 Inbound at Djuanda University (UNIDA) was officially celebrated with an Archipelago Cultural Show on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Under the theme "Strengthening Diversity Through Culture: From UNIDA to the Archipelago," the closing ceremony was held in the Auditorium of Building C on the UNIDA campus.

Dr. La Ode Amril, M.Pd., as the Coordinator of the PMM 2 UNIDA Program, reported that UNIDA is one of the higher education institutions receiving the PMM program, which is in its second batch this year. For this batch, UNIDA hosted 108 students from 40 different universities across Indonesia. Unlike the previous program, this year's PMM students were from institutions located on different islands than the host university.

"For approximately four months or one semester, from September 16, 2022, to January 30, 2023, the PMM students will return to their respective regions. Regarding the PMM student activities at UNIDA, there were 59 courses from 17 study programs and 6 faculties, along with 6 Modul Nusantara activity groups. The entire series of PMM activities at UNIDA included various events focused on diversity, inspiration, reflection, and social contribution. During this semester, students gained a lot of knowledge, both academic and in the development of soft skills and leadership," he explained.

Meanwhile, Aal Lukmanul Hakim, S.H., M.H., the Head of the PMM 2 UNIDA Program and Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, stated that UNIDA is always committed to supporting the MBKM program. This commitment has been recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, which ranked UNIDA 6th in the national cluster 1 for community service based on MBKM.

Regarding the PMM program at UNIDA, Aal Lukmanul Hakim, S.H., M.H. said that various activities have been organized, from cross-department learning to introducing Sundanese culture as a local wisdom.

"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), everything went well, thanks to the guidance of the Chancellor, the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Foundation, the Rector and Vice Rectors, and all university leaders. This also couldn't have happened without the hard work of the team led by the Bureau of Education and Learning. We also thank the Modul Nusantara lecturers, our partner universities, and all the PMM Batch 2 students; you are extraordinary," he said.

At the same event, UNIDA Rector Prof. Dr. H. Suhaidi, S.H., M.H., expressed his happiness, sadness, and emotion in his speech. He felt that the one semester the PMM students spent at UNIDA was not long enough.

"Finally, today we have reached the end of the PMM Batch 2 program. It feels like it was just yesterday. Of course, there is a sense of emotion with this closing because we will part ways. But I think 'parting' is just a word; our hearts and memories will, God willing, remain together. The messages from the students in the video earlier show that this program is excellent, for both university administrators and students from Sabang to Merauke," he said.

Lastly, Prof. Dr. H. Suhaidi, S.H., M.H., hoped that the students' experiences at UNIDA would become a valuable lesson for all to work together to achieve the goal of advancing the nation.

"We hope that the students were comfortable and happy studying here. What they learned—the learning that might be a bit different from their home institutions, the different atmosphere, the different culture—is a very valuable experience for the students who will now return to their respective regions," he added.

The event was enlivened with the Sekapur Sirih Dance at the beginning. Other performances included the Rampak Gendang Dance, a song from West Nusa Tenggara, the Manuk Dadali Dance, Riau Pantun Art, the Merdua Holong song from North Sumatra, and a Sendratari, a drama that combines traditional dances from various regions based on the PMM students' origins. The event also featured an Angklung performance and concluded with a documentary video screening.

Wahyu Riadin, a PMM student from Muhammadiyah University of Sorong, Papua, expressed his gratitude for being part of the PMM program and being placed at UNIDA. He mentioned that the cultural differences were one of the most memorable aspects, and meeting students from various regions was a new and unforgettable experience.

"I personally come from the east; I'm used to a loud and fast way of speaking. When I arrived at UNIDA in Bogor, the language was gentle and polite, so different. Things like punteun and alhamdulillah sae," he said, which was met with laughter.

"Of course, UNIDA welcomed us well when we were here. They treated us without distinguishing where we came from; we felt safe and comfortable here. I hope we can become a family, even though our time together was short. I ask that we stay in touch so that if we get a chance to meet again sometime, we can reminisce about these PMM days. I hope we can write a book together titled 'The City of Rain is Full of Memories'," he concluded.

At the end of the event, the Vice Chairperson of the Amaliah Djuanda Education Foundation (YPSPIAI), Dr. Hj. R. Siti Pupu Fauziah, M.Pd.I., was present.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Hj. R. Siti Pupu Fauziah, M.Pd.I., hoped that the PMM students would always maintain good relationships wherever they are.

"The most important thing is a fundamental change in attitude; this is not just an exchange. The learning from lecturers at each campus would not be too different. However, your sense of nationalism must be strengthened," she said.

Dr. Hj. R. Siti Pupu Fauziah, M.Pd.I., stated that the Indonesian nation has a wealth and diversity of cultures, all held together by Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). The Indonesian nation has a value that no other country has: Pancasila. Therefore, this value must always be preserved for the integrity of the nation.

"We are one and the same Indonesian nation; it doesn't matter what our ethnicity or religion is. This is our great strength if we know how to behave. Differences should not be an obstacle for us to move forward; differences should not be an obstacle to love among us. Even though we are from different islands, we can still be together," she added.

"Whatever you students have gained from UNIDA, please take the good things home and tell people about them. Leave the less-than-good things here. I hope our bond of brotherhood will be lasting. Who knows, maybe one day one of you will become a minister. Or perhaps one of you will be the next presidential candidate for Indonesia. The PMM activities may be over, but the friendship must be maintained," concluded Dr. Hj. R. Siti Pupu Fauziah, M.Pd.I.