STRENGTHENING INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH KINDAI UNIVERSITY AND NATIONAL UNITED UNIVERSITY
The English Studies program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is proud to announce its participation in the Online Cultural Exchange Program (OCEP) in collaboration with Kindai University, Japan, and National United University, Taiwan. This innovative program provided students with a unique platform to develop their English communication skills, engage in intercultural discussions, and collaborate with peers from different academic backgrounds.
A GLOBAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE
OCEP aimed to enhance students’ writing, speaking, and critical thinking abilities through structured online interactions. Designed for students of various majors, the program facilitated discussions on diverse topics, including everyday life, academic interests, cultural heritage, and pressing social and environmental issues.
Participating universities contributed students from multiple disciplines:
- National United University, Taiwan – Business, Economy, Management
- Kindai University, Japan – Science and Engineering
- Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia –Humanities: Culture, Literature and Linguistics
Through this collaboration, UGM students broadened their intercultural awareness, improved their ability to articulate ideas in English, and strengthened their confidence in international academic discussions.
Interactive and Engaging Activities
The program was structured to promote meaningful engagement through both written and live discussions. Students participated in activities through Moodle-based forum discussions and live online meetings, allowing them to exchange ideas in both asynchronous and real-time settings.
Moodle Forum Discussions
Students engaged in structured discussions through Moodle, where they posted their reflections and responded to peers’ contributions. The discussion topics included:
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- Self-Introduction and Everyday Life – Students shared insights about their personal backgrounds, daily routines, and university life, fostering familiarity among participants.
- Cultural and Natural Aspects of Their Home Countries – Participants explored cultural traditions, significant festivals, and unique natural features of their respective countries, encouraging cross-cultural appreciation.
- Local Environmental, Agricultural, and Societal Issues – Students examined pressing issues in their communities, presenting challenges and potential solutions while gaining perspectives from international peers.
Live Online Discussions
To deepen the conversation beyond written exchanges, students participated in live online meetings, where they had the opportunity to discuss, clarify, and expand on their forum discussions in real-time. These sessions enabled direct interaction, fostering stronger intercultural communication skills and confidence in expressing ideas in English.
By integrating forum-based discussions and live conversations, the program provided a comprehensive learning experience, equipping students with both written and spoken communication skills in a global academic setting
FOSTERING FUTURE COLLABORATION
This partnership between UGM, Kindai University, and National United University underscores the importance of global academic collaboration in language learning and cultural exchange. The English Studies program at UGM remains committed to providing students with meaningful international exposure that enriches their academic journey and prepares them for the globalized world. As we continue to explore opportunities for cross-border educational initiatives, we look forward to strengthening our engagement in future collaborative projects.