Mataram, University of Mataram – The Indonesian Language Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Mataram (FKIP Unram) was entrusted to be the organizer of the 2024 National Working Meeting (Rakernas) and International Seminar of the Indonesian Language and Literature Study Program Association (IKAPROBSI). The event which took place for three days, from August 9-11, 2024 at the Aruna Hotel, Senggigi was attended by hundreds of participants from various provinces in Indonesia.

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The event was also attended by a number of important figures, including the Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D.; the General Chairperson of IKAPROBSI, Prof. Dr. Sarwiji Suwandi, M.Pd.; as well as four renowned speakers consisting of Prof. Dr. Mahsun, M.S. from Unram; Rimajon Sotlikova, Ph.D. from Webster University in Tashken; Dr. Balazs Huszka from Universiti Brunei Darussalam; and Ho Ngoc Hieu, M.Ed. from Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.

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In the opening of the Rakernas and International Seminar, Prof. Dr. Indrya Mulyaningsih, M.Pd., as the Head of the Committee, reported that this activity aims to enhance academic and professional cooperation among educational institutions in Indonesia and international. Prof. Indrya said that the number of participants has reached 241 people and will continue to increase. This activity is conducted in a hybrid, with the Rakernas being held offline and the presentations of the speakers conducted online through Zoom Meeting.

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“Thank you for the support of three universities in West Nusa Tenggara, Unram, UNW, and Ummat, which have helped this event run smoothly. It is hoped that through this activity, proceedings can be produced, both national and international, which will be an important contribution to the development of science and collaboration between institutions,” said Prof. Indrya.

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The Rector of Unram, Prof. Bambang, in his speech expressed his pride for the contribution of FKIP Unram in organizing the National Meeting and International Seminar. He also highlighted the development of Indonesian language learning and the challenges faced in the process. Prof. Bambang also emphasized the importance of encouraging Indonesian to become an international language, along with the great potential that Indonesia has as a country with the fourth largest population in the world.

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“Indonesian has great potential to become an international language. With a large population and increasing influence in the global arena, we must take this opportunity to promote Bahasa Indonesia widely,” he said.

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In addition, Prof. Bambang also highlighted efforts to make Bahasa Indonesia a scientific language, by promoting new ideas and challenges that arise. “It is important for us to continue to socialize Bahasa Indonesia to the eyes of the world, so that our language is increasingly recognized and acknowledged,” he added.

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The event was officially opened by the Chairperson of IKAPROBSI, Prof. Dr. Sarwiji Suwandi, M.Pd., who highlighted the importance of improving the quality of education in Bahasa Indonesia and hoped that the results of this Rakernas could be applied in various educational institutions.

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“We hope that through this activity, we can formulate concrete steps to improve the quality of education of Bahasa Indonesia,” said Prof. Sarwiji.

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The event officially kicked off with the gong beating and the signing of a cooperation document between IKAPROBSI and Indonesian Language Education Study Programs throughout Indonesia, which aims to increase collaboration in educational research and development.

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The National Work Meeting and International Seminar IKAPROBSI 2024 is expected to be an important momentum in improving the quality of Indonesian language education at the national and international levels. With the spirit of collaboration and innovation, it is hoped that new solutions and strategies can be implemented in language learning in Indonesia.