Corps of Cadet Texas A&M University Exchanges Idea with UPH International Relations Department

Group photo with Corps of Cadet Texas A&M University, USA and UPH International Relations Department students and lecturers

As a global campus, Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) often has foreign partners to have collaboration with. UPH welcomed those opportunities to share ideas and knowledge especially for the students. A recent event co-host by the UPH International Relations Department and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies-Indonesia reflects that spirit of exchanging ideas when approximately 30 members of Corps of Cadet (The Corps) from Texas A&M University, USA along with a number of their faculty member came to visit UPH campus on Wednesday May 20, 2015

The Corps of Cadet at Texas A&M University is a student military organization that was established 138 years ago. They came as part of their international excursion programs for their cadets in order for the cadet to have experience visiting an important country and also to have the opportunity to exchange ideas on cultures, politics, economics, foreign policy and media in Indonesia.

Headquarter of Corps of Cadets Texas A&M corpsofcadets.org

The Corps activities corps.tamu.edu

The event was organized and co-host by UPH International Relations Department and its faculty members, Amelia Joan Liwe, Ph.D and Yosef D. M. Djakababa, Ph.d who are also the Director and Associate director of the Center for South East Asian Studies-Indonesia (CSEASI), an independent non-profit organization promoting awareness on Southeast Asia and to develop research on Southeast Asia in Indonesia by research activities, education, social and cultures (cseasi.org). During the event, the Head Department of UPH International Relations, Susy Tekunan MBA, MA and Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Science UPH, Prof. Aleksius Jemadu, Ph.D also delivered welcome remarks and gave introduction of UPH basic principles and overview of Indonesia political condition in contrast with America and China. ?We must have a strong foundation and point of reference in doing everything. Like at UPH, we do have a foundation as a Christ-centered university so academic aspect and other should have the point of reference. If not, otherwise, all are just limited to ideas.? Said Prof. Aleksius during his remarks and presentation. Prof. Randolph Kluver, Executive Director of Global Partnership & Projects Texas A&M University in his remarks on behalf of the cadets also expressed his impression towards Indonesia as a beautiful country, especially the hospitality and friendliness of UPH as the partner in this event.

30 Corps of Cadet Texas A&M University joined the event hosted by UPH International Relations Department 

Towards the end of the event, the cadets, who are mostly majoring in engineering, technology, and pre-medical, mingled around with the UPH International Relations students and had chitchat using a unique method. Each of the students must write their personal information on a blank card. Later on, that card will be randomly distributed. Each person must find the person who described themselves in the blank card, hence this activity forced everyone who has a card to talk to each other in an effort to find the right person. During this activity, various topics came up, such as cultures, religions, slangs, sports, even questions about what kind of activities that young people or students usually done to have fun in Jakarta

Prof. Aleksius Jemadu introduced UPH

Remark by A/Prof. Randolph Kluver

Susy Tekunan officially opened the event

According to Susy Tekunan, the event was a wonderful opportunity for UPH to share about its identity as a Christ-centered university in the largest Moslem populated country. ?It is an organic way to plant the seed of people-to-people relations as the best way to develop countries’ relations, in this case for Indonesia and the U.S,? stated Susy.

Meanwhile, A/Prof. Randolph Kluver said that the international excursion program helped The Corps to better understand the world. They someday will be leaders in various fields, whether in government, enterprise, or military. ?So, the purpose of this program is for them to build a personal relationship with people from other countries as well as gaining real experiences,? he said. (el/yd)

Followings are the testimonies from participants:

Adam Riyadi – HI 2013   ?From this event, not only I could add more connections with foreign students, especially US, but also I could realize the importance of military education in University that can equip them as future leaders. It?s something that we don?t have here in Indonesia.?

Ayu Fitriani ? HI 2013   ?As the International Relations student, I love the cultures from other countries. Besides, this event could test our ability in speaking English with native speakers and to exchange ideas about cultures. The Corps also are really polite, discipline, and they appreciate Indonesia?s culture.?

Mark Elias ? class of 2015, Engineering Technology major, Executive Officer of Company in the Corps of Cadets.   ?So far, UPH friend are the friendliest friends I have ever met. I also just knew that there is a major of International Relations with many students since  in our Texas A&M University, we mostly come from engineering, technology, and pre-med. And I think it is really vital. I learned a lot from friends from here.?

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