For the past centuries, Europe has become a region that signifies excellence through its rapid economic growth, stable welfare and world-class education. As an enterprising university, University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI) aspires to provide high quality international education for its students and capacity building opportunities for staff and lecturer. Therefore, the first step to achieve this is through socialization.
The Hopeful Start
On October 28, 2024, UAI held “Socialization for Erasmus+ CapacityBuilding in Higher Education” in via online conference and attended by UAI officials and students. With that in mind, experts such as Erasmus+ National Focal Point Indonesia, Arief Budiman, PhD and Vice Rector of Partnership and Entrepreneurship of Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII), Ir. Wiryono Raharjo, M. Arch., PhD was invited to become a keynote speaker.
The event started with sing along of Indonesia Raya and continued with a recitation of Holy Qur’an by Muhammad Faathir Ar-Rahman to further exhibit the spirit of nationalism and Islam as UAI key identity and values.
Report on UAI Participation in Erasmus+ Programs
UAI strive for to realize the European Dream was displayed by its numerous ventures in Europe via Erasmus+ program. The report of the activities was carried out by Dr. Mohamad Ghozali Moenawar, Lc., M.M, Head of Office of International Affairs (OIA) of UAI.
“Under the Erasmus+ umbrella, UAI has collaborated with Daugavpils University (DU), Latvia that allowed UAI staff to learn in DU and vice versa. Recently, our student, Faathir study in DU as well. Then, we’ve collaborated with Vrije University, Netherlands and University of Sannio, Italy. Hopefully, after this socialization, it will opened up myriad opportunities that UAI students and faculties can utilize”
Rector of UAI Determination for Internationalisation
With the report of UAI participation in Erasmus+ program comes to an end, Rector of UAI, Prof. Dr. Ir. Asep Saefuddin, M.Sc. conveyed his opening remarks wherein he touched upon UAI current internationalisation phase and implore UAI faculties to collaborate in the Eramus+ program.
Currently, UAI it’s in toddler phase in internationalisation, but brick by brick we can layer it to create a solid foundation. Thus, I implored all the faculties and study program to prepare collaboration activities for the Erasmus+ program. Afterwards, OIA of UAI will find you the most suitable partner.
Prof. Dr. Ir. Asep Saefuddin, M.Sc
Socialization of Erasmus+ Programs
With the end of Prof. Asep steadfast commitment in realizing the “Dream Europe” mission, it ushered us to the main event, socialization of Erasmus+ programs. First, Arief Budiman delivered numerous Erasmus+ programs UAI can explore.
There are four principal Erasmus+ programs: 1. International Credit Mobility Awards (ICM), 2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM), 3. Jean Monnet Action, 4. Capacity Building of Higher Education (CBHE). ICM enable short-term mobility for students, staff and lecturers in all level of education to study and teach in Europe or vice versa. Whilst, EMJM is an EU-funded scholarship to Master Students worldwide wherein students will study in at least two different Erasmus+33 countries for one to two years and obtain a joint, double, multiple degrees.
Furthermore, Arief kindly explain Jean Monnet Action is a scholarship that aims to develop EU studies or EU integration worldwide by teaching or research. Last but not least, CBHE is a transnational cooperation projects, based on multilateral partnerships between Higher Education Institutions (HEI) from EU Member states and its partners. The program was aimed to modernising and reforming HEI, developing curricula, improving governance and building relationship between HEI and enterprises.
Afterwards, Arief shares his strategy to receive grant for the CBHE program.
“There are three themes that are currently heavily advocated by the European Union (EU) and if we implement this theme, it will increase the likelihood of the proposal being accepted. The themes are: 1. Green Economy, 2. Youth & Sports, 3. Digitalization.”
Then, Ir. Wiryono expounded on how his approach have allowed him to receive Erasmus+ CBHE grant for five years in a row, with total of seven CBHE projects already under his belt.
“The key elements in ensuring our proposal is accepted are: 1. Create a sustainable program with clear goals and concrete output that tackles persisting or trending issue in society. 2. Build and develop strong relation with European universities, 3. Formulating post project to ensure the impact of the program is still felt after project finished. 4. Knowing your university capacity in covering program cost from late disbursement of the Erasmus grant. 5. Appointed skilled and experienced staff in coordinating with partner universities.
Discussion Session
As Arief and Ir. Wiryono concluded their remarks, numerous UAI lecturers such as The Head of Communication Study Program, Gusmia Arianti, S.E., M.Si, Wildan Faisol, S.Sos., M.Si as the Secretary of International Relations Study Program and Yuliana Mukti, Lecturers from Psychological study program inquired on Erasmus+ programs. Gusmia asked on should universities in Indonesia completely catered to European universities in formulating proposals.
Both speakers elucidated that what matters is communicating properly and similarity in education background will help formulating collaboration proposal easier. Afterwards, Wildan inquires on the detail of the Jean Monnet Program, in which Arief kindly expounded that the program provides opportunity for university to create class, course and literature that disseminate and educate European integration. Ir. Wiryono further added, if the study program, most notably International Relations has the drive and capacity in organizing Jean Monnet, it’s likely the grant will be given.
Last but not least, Yuliana enquire if Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is needed to communicate with universities. Respective keynote speakers explained that MoU signing with partner is only needed after your proposal is accepted by Erasmus+.
Testimony from UAI Erasmus+ Grant Recipient
UAI was blessed with the opportunity in participating in Erasmus+ Lecturer Staff Mobility Program in Daugavpils University (DU), wherein UAI staffs learned various skills and experienced international environment for 5 days in DU. The staff selected for the program was Dr. Dwi Astharini, S.T., M.Sc, Head of Research and Publication of UAI, Muhammad Fadli, S.E., M.H, Head of Sub Directorate of Creativity and Student Welfare of UAI and Meldini Alivia, S.I.Kom, Head of Sub. Directorate of Academic Facilities.
Fadli underlined the importance in researching our destination and partner university beforehand to ensure that we packed the appropriate equipment and know what to discuss and learn further with our partner.
Next, Dr. Astharini stated that UAI can collaborate with other underrated European Universities such as DU, because what matters is having myriad partners in Europe in conducting Erasmus+ program.
Then, Ms. Meldini highlighted despite her mobility program lasted only five days, it afforded her the opportunity to learn DU best practices in academics administration and promote exchange of ideas.
Conclusion
With the testimony session comes to an end, a group photo was taken to serve as a reminder UAI dream to collaborate with myriad European universities and the concrete steps taken to realize it. In the time to come, hopefully UAI can emulate what UII, Arief and Ir. Wiryono have done to develop their students and faculties capacities in a continuing interconnected and borderless world. Aamiin. (BR)
