ITB Welcomes 289 Exchange Students from Batch III Merdeka Program
By Anggun Nindita
Editor Anggun Nindita
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – One of the programs under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology is Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM), which aims to provide opportunities for students to explore various scientific disciplines that match their interests and talents. MBKM has been progressively implemented in many ways. One example is Pertukaran Mahasiswa Merdeka (PMM), a subprogram of MBKM that enables students to study at universities outside their respective islands for one semester.
This year, Institut Teknologi Bandung has become one of the campuses that accepts the most exchange students, with a grand total of 289. These students are distributed among multiple study programs based on their interests and backgrounds.
Since August 21, 2023, all PMM students have been attending lectures with other regular ITB students. This is considered a rare and special opportunity to experience a different academic atmosphere and culture.
In addition, every Saturday, PMM students engage in a class named Module Nusantara. This module primarily focuses on diversity, inspiration, reflection, and social contribution.
On September 10, 2023, all PMM students alongside several ITB academicians attended an official welcoming ceremony at the CRCS (Center for Research and Community Services) Multipurpose Building. The catchphrase “Temporary Exchange, Everlasting Meaning” became a beacon of spirit for the exchange of cultural diversity in Indonesia through PMM. Attendees of the ceremony were dressed in a variety of traditional clothing from their respective regions, and some of them also wore batik.
Head of the Subdirectorate of Continuing Education, Directorate of ITB Nonregular Program, Irwan Iskandar, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., hoped that PMM students could enjoy their time studying at ITB and experience the beauty and charm of Bandung. This way, ITB’s academic atmosphere can have a positive impact on all involved.
Meanwhile, one of the representatives of the Nusantara Module lecturers, Dr. Sutiadi Rahmansyah, S.S., M.Hum., stated that Kampus Merdeka was designed to bolster diversity and tolerance. With the Nusantara Module, students are expected to recognize and respect the myriad of tribes, languages, cultures, and religions of Indonesia. “This module promotes the values of unity, integrity, and our motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” he affirmed.
Reporter: Lukman Ali (Mechanical Engineering ‘20)
Indonesian Editor: M. Naufal Hafizh
Translator: Ariq Ramadhan Teruna (Chemical Engineering ‘21)
English Editor: Kezia Hosana
