University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI) successfully hosted two exchange students from Asia University, Japan, through the Asia University Global Program–Indonesia, held from August 10 to September 7, 2025.
The two participants from Asia University, Japan, Akinaga Sato from the Department of International Relations and Noa Muraki from the Department of Multicultural Communication, joined the Japanese Language and Culture Department under the Faculty of Humanities at University Al-Azhar Indonesia for one-month academic and cultural immersion program.
Throughout the program, both students attended 30 sessions of Indonesian language classes, equivalent to 4 academic credits, designed to strengthen their communication skills and cross-cultural understanding. In addition, they participated in various cultural activities, including angklung performance workshops, museum visits, and excursions to the National Monument and Beautiful Indonesia Mini Park.
A farewell ceremony was held on September 6, 2025, attended by Dr. Lusi Lian Piantari, S.S., M.Hum., Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences; Vera Yulianti, S.S., M.A., Head of the Japanese Language and Culture Study Program; and representatives from the Office of International Affairs and Partnership, Muchammad Nasucha, S.S., M.Si., and Nova Andrianto Saputra, S.E., M.I.Kom.
The event was also joined by lecturers and students from the Japanese Language and Culture Department, who came together to celebrate the completion of the one-month exchange program and to bid farewell to the two participants from Asia University, Japan.
In her remarks, Dr. Lusi praised the students for their enthusiasm in learning and exploring Indonesian culture. She highlighted that international exchange programs play an important role in strengthening educational collaboration and fostering mutual understanding between Indonesia and Japan.
Meanwhile, Ms. Vera encouraged the students to continue developing their Indonesian language skills even after returning to Japan. She also hoped that they would share their positive experiences at UAI with their peers and academic community at Asia University, Japan.
Reflecting on their stay, Sato and Muraki expressed their appreciation for UAI’s warm hospitality and the opportunity to learn directly within an immersive environment.
“Practicing Indonesian in real conversations and learning about local culture firsthand was an unforgettable experience,” they shared.
The completion of this one-month exchange marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between University Al-Azhar Indonesia and Asia University, Japan. Beyond academic enrichment, the program has fostered deeper mutual understanding and friendship between students of both universities. UAI looks forward to continuing this collaboration and expanding future opportunities that promote global learning and cultural exchange. (DA)