The Indonesian Language Institute for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) UMSU successfully held the annual Handai Taulan Festival 2024 attended by 60 students from 11 countries.
The event was opened by the Chancellor of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP was held to coincide with the commemoration of Indonesian Language Month, Thursday (28/10) at the UMSU auditorium, Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3 Medan.
Various important figures were present, including the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand in Medan, Dr. Ir. Martono Anggusti, S.H., M.M., M.Hum, Honorary Consul of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste in Medan, Irawan; Education USA Advisor Medan, Dimas Samudra; and representatives from APPBIPA North Sumatra, Dr. Wisman Hadi, M.Pd., who was represented by Susi Deliani.
A total of 60 participants of the festival entitled “Celebrate Friendship Between Nations Through Local Content BIPA” from Yemen, Thailand, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Cambodia, and the Philippines participated in the 2024 FHT competition. They are students from universities and international schools in the city of Medan, namely UMSU, UNIMED, UNIVA, UMN Al Washliyah, Sampoerna Academic, Medan Independent School, and Singapore Intercultural School.
The main activities of this festival include the launch of a book of supporting teaching materials for BIPA with local content entitled ‘Knitting Religiousness in North Sumatra, a talk show, and the final round of the poetry, pantun, and song singing competition in Indonesian involving all foreign nationals in the city of Medan.
The Chancellor of UMSU who opened this activity, gave his appreciation and support that has been given since the establishment of BIPA at UMSU in 2022. He said that the existence of BIPA at UMSU continues to be encouraged to provide a view to foreign students that studying in North Sumatra is very enjoyable.
“BIPA UMSU continues to be committed to creating programs that attract international interest. We are determined to consistently participate in various international activities and UMSU is able to compete in the international world,” said the Chancellor of UMSU. In fact, the interest of students from Gwangzong, China, to learn Indonesian through BIPA UMSU is proof of the recognition received by UMSU.
Prof. Agussani also said that currently, UMSU has 103 foreign students and 40 new students from various countries. This is in line with the international recognition that UMSU has achieved such as MQA Malaysia, QS Star, AppliedHE and Impact Ranking.
Previously, the Chairperson of BIPA UMSU Dr. Cut Novita Srikandi, said that this event aims to strengthen friendship and open up space for creativity in the use of Indonesian for participants from various countries, “The success of BIPA UMSU in achieving international achievements, such as the second place in storytelling at the international event by Kreyya Dani, a Cambodian student. All thanks to the support of the University Leadership, the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellors,” said Dr. Cut.
