On Monday, March 20, 2023, Mary Trechock – Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer from the United States Embassy in Jakarta, visited Hasanuddin University’s International Office (IO). Ms. Trechock was accompanied by Yoana Wida Kristiawati – Emerging Voice Exchanges, Alumni Coordinator, and Chendani Budhi – EducationUSA Indonesia Manager. This visit was received directly by the Head of IO, Andi Masyitha Irwan, PhD accompanied by Muhammad Ridwan, M.A. – Secretary of IO and Jamaluddin Fitrah Alam, PhD. – IO Task Force and other staff.
Many things were discussed during this visit, including how the embassy, through EducationUSA, could help Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) students who would qualify for the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) 2024 scholarship and choose universities in the United States. The assistance is in communication and registration with the university that UNHAS students aim for. Ms. Chendani was willing to take the time when UNHAS students register at these universities.
Another thing discussed was the opportunity for UNHAS to expand its partnership through participation in the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA), one of the largest educational exhibitions and conferences in the United States (US). Through NAFSA, UNHAS will engage with various universities there. UNHAS and other Indonesian universities’ participation in NAFSA are under coordination with the Ministry of Education and Culture and Research and Technology so the booth will be like Indonesia as a whole not as a single university.
On this occasion, Masyitha also explained that IO UNHAS had held the International Cultural Program (ICP) five times and in June 2023, would carry out the same activity for the 6th time. Therefore, the head of IO hoped that American students could participate in this 2023 ICP. Ms. Trechock also welcomed the idea and asked for the program book from ICP to be sent to her for distribution in various links at universities in the US.
In addition, Masyitha showed a newsletter that reported on activities related to the US, such as the presentation of Ms. Chendani on tips on writing motivational letters. The newsletter also informed that the USAID HEPI would carry out its five-year program related to Core 1 and 2 to increase the capacity and competence of lecturers and Core 3 to increase students’ critical thinking and work opportunities when completing their degrees.
