Orientation and Indonesian Independence Day Celebration with IPB University’s International Students
Welcoming the new international students from all programs (regular/full degree, exchange and internship) and degrees (Bachelor's and Master's) of Odd Semester 2019/2020, IPB University arranged the International Student’s Orientation Day on August 8th, 2019 in IPB Darmaga Campus, Bogor. The students came from various nations all around the world, such as Asia (Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea and Pakistan), Australia, Africa (Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Tanzania), America (U.S.) and Europe (France and Germany). Welcoming speech was enclosed by IPB University’s Vice Rector for Education and Student Affairs—Dr. Drajat Martianto where he greeted warmly all the students present to the rainy city of Bogor and hoped all students’ best and most pleasant adaptation process. Deputy Director for International Program Services—Dr. Sintho W. Ardie continued the session with presentation deeply and thoroughly introducing the campus itself. Her explanations included IPB facts, academics and research, and other essentials for international students’ knowledge. Directing more towards students’ life, Hospitality Coordinator—Ms. Listiani Puspitosari elaborated important daily-life points for IPB University’s freshmen and new exchange students such as the living in campus’ hands-on, facilities, international student buddies, code of conducts and activities. And last session was brought up by Permit Coordinator—Mrs. Uceu Nurmalia and Program Coordinator—Ms. Belladini Lovely regarding Study and Stay Permits, where students learnt the permit-related mandatory activities to be conducted throughout their study period in IPB University and Indonesia. Students were guided altogether as well to sort out the study permit matters.
Like Indonesians who were celebrating Indonesian 74th Independence Day, IPB University’s international students also partake in traditional competitions in commemoration of Indonesian Independence Day. Organized by Directorate of International Program and International Student Buddies and held in IPB Darmaga Campus, Bogor on August 17th, 2019, not less than 25 international students partook in series of event commemorating this festive moment of the year. The students came from several countries and continents that is summed up to total 12 nations, namely Malaysia, Rwanda, Japan, Uganda, Australia, Sudan, Pakistan, Tanzania, France, Liberia, South Korea and Thailand. IPB Director of International Program—Prof. Iskandar Z. Siregar elaborated the importance of such events to introduce and deepen Indonesian traditional knowledge towards the international students studying in Indonesia, particularly IPB University. Nine (9) traditional games were introduced, namely kerupuk (cracker) eating race, nail–in–bottle, balloon blowing, balloon dance, marble marathon, rubber band–in–straw marathon, bakiak (elongated wood sandal) race, karung (sack) race and tug-of-war—where 4 mixed groups of students competed with each other to win exciting prizes.
