Mataram, University of Mataram – University of Mataram (Unram) has just released two lecturers from Shangrao Normal University China in the Closing Ceremony of Mandarin language training on Monday (1/7) at the Rector Conference Room, Unram Rectorate. The two lecturers have carried out teaching duties for the past five months as part of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rector of Unram and the Rector of Shangrao Normal University.

The MoU resulted in an important agreement in the form of the establishment of the Mandarin Center at Unram. The Mandarin Center is a study center for teaching Mandarin which will be continued by lecturers from Shangrao Normal University who will return to teach at Unram in the coming semester.

Lecturers from Shangrao Normal University Zhu Xiao and Yu Chunying explained that students had a little difficulty when they first learned Mandarin, but students were very interested and enthusiastic about learning. The Shangrao Normal University lecturer said that Mandarin is important to learn when you want to study and work in China.

During the program there were seminars with speakers from Unram, Shangrao Normal University and Beijing University with the theme of research in the field of tourism and focusing on rural tourism conducted online.

“I said if you want to go to China to study or work, you have to learn the language. During the learning process we also hold international competitions during the study of Mandarin such as video competitions whose participants are students from the tourism diploma program to increase student interest in learning. Through this collaboration in the future we also want to invite Beijing University to join this program,” he said.

In his speech, Unram Rector Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D. explained that this training program is an excellent first step in an effort to improve the quality of education and broaden students’ horizons about Chinese culture and language.

“Our hope in the future is that this program is not only for Unram students but can be developed and expanded for other stakeholders such as travel agents or anyone who wants to learn Mandarin,” said Prof. Bambang.

In addition to mandarin language learning, this MoU resulted in an agreement in the form of a study exchange. Unram has sent eight students and two lecturers. In the future, students from Shangrao Normal University will also come to Unram, resulting in a mutually beneficial international student exchange.

“This international student exchange is very useful in improving Unram’s reputation and ranking both in the QS World University Ranking and in Times Higher Education,” added the Rector of Unram.

This cooperation not only focuses on academics but also community service. Through visits and cooperation between university leaders, both parties held community service programs in villages on the island of Lombok.

“This service is important because it is part of Unram’s target to become a World Class University and get international accreditation. International community service needs to be done to achieve this goal,” said the Rector of Unram.

The Rector of Unram also hopes that there will be other program developments, especially in the field of research. In addition to those that have been developed such as student exchanges, Mandarin language learning, staff exchanges, and international community service. Through this collaboration, it is hoped that there will be additional activities that will certainly benefit both parties.

“We hope that the number of Unram students who go to Shangrao Normal University will increase, the number of tourists from China to Indonesia and vice versa will also increase, as well as an increase in the amount of research conducted together. In addition, there are plans to hold joint conferences, short courses, joint degrees, and double degrees that can benefit both parties, “said the Rector of Unram.

Through this collaboration, Unram and Shangrao Normal University are committed to continuing to collaborate in various fields in the future.