Banjarmasin – The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) held a Cultural Exchange event as the closing of the SEA Teacher Batch 10 program, which was participated in by two students from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Philippines. The event took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the MBKM Room, 2nd Floor of the LMMC Building. It was attended by ULM Vice Rector I, Iwan Aflanie; Dean of FKIP, Sunarno Basuki; Vice Dean I for Academic Affairs, Deasy Arisanty; Vice Dean II for General and Financial Affairs, Dharmono; Head of the Cooperation and Public Relations Unit (UPKH), Emma Rosana Febriyanti; Secretary of UPKH, Nahdia Fitri Rahmaniah; Secretary of the Monitoring and Evaluation Division of Research and Community Service at the Quality Assurance Unit (UPM), Meliyana Aini; MBKM Unit team; students; and partner school representatives.
Group Photo (Doc. MBKM Unit)
The two MMSU students who took part in this program were Ervin Cedric S. Alejo from the Physical Education Department and Kate Alyssa R. Rosete from the Arts and Culture Education Department. They had completed one month of teaching practicum at SMKN 4 Banjarmasin as part of the Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia (SEA Teacher) program initiated by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).
In this farewell event, Ervin and Kate presented Filipino culture through an interactive presentation and artistic performances that showcased the richness of their traditions and social life. They also shared their experiences and impressions during the teaching practicum, including challenges in adapting to the language, teaching methods, and interactions with local students and teachers.
Group Photo (Doc. MBKM Unit)
In his speech, ULM Vice Rector I expressed deep appreciation for the contributions of the MMSU students throughout the program. He stated that this program not only provided academic benefits but also strengthened cultural ties and international cooperation. “We truly value the participation of international students who have shared their experiences and culture, and who have enriched the academic atmosphere at FKIP ULM,” he remarked.
Raisa Fadilla, Head of the MBKM Unit at FKIP ULM, added that the closing event served not only as a form of appreciation but also as a momentum to strengthen the future collaboration between FKIP ULM and MMSU. “We hope that following this program, more forms of academic and cultural collaborations can be established,” she said.
The event concluded with the presentation of souvenirs and a group photo session filled with warmth. Ervin and Kate expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome, guidance, and valuable experiences they had during their stay in Banjarmasin. They also shared their admiration for the local culture, which they found to be welcoming and friendly, and appreciated the warm atmosphere of the city and the people who always greeted them with smiles.
Through this event, FKIP ULM once again affirmed its commitment to expanding international networks and shaping future educators who are open to multicultural values and cross-border collaboration.
Closing Group Photo with MBKM Team and Buddies (Doc. MBKM Unit)
