Mataram, University of Mataram – As the demand for globally competitive talent continues to grow, proficiency in foreign languages has become an essential gateway to international education, research, and global engagement. Guided by this vision, the University of Mataram (Unram) and Seoul National University (SNU) are strengthening their strategic partnership to expand Korean language education, creating greater global opportunities for students while advancing the internationalization of higher education.

This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting between University of Mataram Rector Prof. Sukardi and Seo Kyo, Director of Seoul National University Social Responsibility, on Tuesday, 29 July 2026, at the Rector’s Meeting Room. The discussion explored opportunities to deepen collaboration in education, academic mobility, human capital development, and language education as a bridge for strengthening international partnerships. The initiative also contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by expanding access to quality learning opportunities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering stronger international collaboration.

During the meeting, Seo Kyo reaffirmed SNU’s commitment to further expanding Korean language education at Unram, enabling more students and members of the wider community to benefit from the programme. He emphasized that ensuring its long-term sustainability is fundamental to building enduring academic relationships and creating broader opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions.

He also encouraged Unram to establish a Korean Language Study Program as a strategic step toward strengthening its academic capacity while responding to the growing demand for professionals with language proficiency and cross-cultural competence. According to him, language education extends beyond developing communication skills it also creates opportunities for deeper collaboration in education, research, and cultural exchange.

In addition to strengthening Korean language education, Seo Kyo introduced several scholarship opportunities available to Unram students, including the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), one of South Korea’s flagship scholarship programmes for international students. He expressed his hope that more Unram students would take advantage of these opportunities to broaden their academic horizons while building international networks and intercultural experience.

Seo Kyo also shared the philosophy behind the King Sejong Institute, which is named after King Sejong the Great, the creator of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. He explained that King Sejong’s vision was to make literacy and language accessible to everyone, regardless of social background. That philosophy continues to guide the Institute’s mission of expanding access to Korean language education worldwide through partnerships with higher education institutions.

Looking beyond language education, he emphasized that the challenges of the twenty-first century cannot be addressed by any single institution alone. International collaboration, he noted, provides an essential platform for bringing together knowledge, expertise, and diverse perspectives across borders to create educational experiences that are more innovative, inclusive, and responsive to global challenges.

Responding to these initiatives, University of Mataram Rector Prof. Sukardi reaffirmed that strengthening foreign language proficiency is a key pillar of Unram’s internationalization strategy. As an initial step, the University is preparing to introduce a new student admissions pathway based on foreign language proficiency—including Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin—to support student mobility programmes, double-degree opportunities, and broader international academic collaboration.

The Rector explained that this initiative will begin with the expansion of language courses offered through the Unram Language Center, before evolving into the establishment of a Korean Language Study Program within the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP). The initiative is expected to broaden academic opportunities while preparing graduates with the linguistic and intercultural competencies needed to thrive in a global environment.

To further strengthen an integrated language-learning ecosystem, Unram also plans to establish a Language Integration Center on the ground floor of the Unram Library. The facility is envisioned as a hub for learning multiple foreign languages while serving as a collaborative academic space that promotes cultural exchange, international engagement, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Prof. Sukardi also encouraged participants and volunteers involved in the Korean language programme to pursue master’s degrees at Seoul National University through the various scholarship schemes available. He expressed his hope that, upon completing their studies, they would return to Unram as faculty members, contributing to the University’s academic capacity and supporting the long-term development of Korean language education.

In addition to creating more opportunities for Unram students to study in South Korea, the Rector expressed his hope that a growing number of Korean students would participate in short-course programmes at Unram. He emphasized that two-way student mobility would enrich cross-cultural learning experiences, foster deeper mutual understanding, and further strengthen Unram’s position as a trusted academic partner in Asia.

During the meeting, Prof. Sukardi also proposed expanding collaboration between Indonesian and South Korean professors in both research and community engagement. He noted that such partnerships have the potential to generate innovative solutions with tangible benefits for society while strengthening Unram’s international research network.

By advancing language education, expanding academic mobility, investing in human capital development, and fostering collaborative research, the partnership between Unram and Seoul National University is expected to create broader global opportunities for students while reinforcing Unram’s role as a globally engaged university. Through strategic international collaboration, the University continues to prepare graduates who are adaptable, globally competitive, and equipped to make meaningful contributions to an increasingly interconnected world.