Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) made history as the first international university to visit Universitas Garut (UNIGA). A group of 24 students and two faculty members from MSU-IIT embarked on a remarkable journey to UNIGA for a summer school program, creating lasting memories and forging new academic connections. The delegation included 21 Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies students, 3 Bachelor of Science in Psychology students, Assistant Dean Associate Professor Sittie Noffaisah Pasandalan, and Assistant Professor Fatimah Joy Alvarez.
Their hosts, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), facilitated the journey from Yogyakarta to Garut, a 13-hour bus ride. UMY staff, Dr. Rijal Ramdani, Annisaa Luthfi Amalia, Fauziah Nauri Qisty, and students Kevin Arya Pranaja and Kerkulah P. Nyeleker from the IGov department, ensured a smooth transition and enriching experience for the MSU-IIT group.
Upon arriving in Garut, the MSU-IIT delegation was warmly welcomed by UNIGA's faculty and students. In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Sittie Noffaisah Pasandalan conveyed her heartfelt gratitude saying: “It is such an honor to be here. I believe that we are the first university from the Philippines to reach UNIGA, and I sincerely hope that this is the start of a partnership that will be both beneficial to our universities. I am happy to have UMY, especially Prof. Achmad Nurmandi and Prof. Rijal Ramdani, linked us to UNIGA. Our university, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, is just one of the campuses of the Mindanao State University System. We are in the southern part of the Philippines. I hope that you can also send your lecturers and students to our university. Pak Rector, I hope that despite a very long distance, we can start little activities via online collaboration. Exchange of lecturers for short online classes would be a great start. Today is definitely not the end."
The delegation stayed at Harmoni Hotel for four days, from June 22 to June 25. On the second day, they visited the Situ Cangkuang Temple, a significant Hindu temple founded in 1966. This visit provided an opportunity for MSU-IIT students to meet and interact with students from the Institute Pertanian Bogor (IPB), fostering cultural exchange and forming new friendships.
Lunch and agro-tourism tour at Eptilu Farm was a notable highlight of the trip. The group was welcomed by Rizal Fahreza, the farm's owner and founder, and a renowned agricultural researcher. His story inspired the students, one of whom gifted him a peso coin, acknowledging the shared name with the Philippines' national hero, José Rizal.
The third day featured a series of sessions where 2 was lectured by our very own Associate Professor Sittie Noffaisah Pasandalan and Asst. Prof. Fatimah Joy Alvarez as part of the summer school program.In the afternoon, the students from MSU-IIT and UMY experienced traditional Indonesian games, immersing themselves in the local culture. The final day featured a campus tour, where various UNIGA departments welcomed the delegation, marking the end of a memorable and enriching experience.
This visit to Universitas Garut was not only an academic journey but also a cultural exchange that will leave a lasting impact on the participants, strengthening the ties between MSU-IIT, UMY, and UNIGA, and paving the way for future collaborations.
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