Courtesy Meeting with Flinders University: Discussing Prospects for Future Collaborations

Yogyakarta, 10 July 2019—Collaborations with foreign universities are important for any university.  Professor Vanessa Lemm and Mr. David Nettlefold, representatives from Flinders University, Australia, visited Fisipol UGM to strengthen the relationship between UGM and Flinders University. Furthermore, the two representatives were accompanied by Dr. Priyambudi Sulistiyanto, a senior lecturer from the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Science of Flinders University.Professor Lemm stated that this opportunity can establish further collaborations between UGM and Flinders University. Erwan Agus Purwanto, the Dean of Fisipol UGM, expressed his gratitude for the existing collaborations between the two universities. Erwan was accompanied by several lecturers of Fisipol UGM, such as Dr. Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti, M.P.P, Msc., Dr. Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro, M.A (IR), Dr. M. Najib Azca, and Dr. Hendrie Adjie Kuswono.

Flinders University teaches five languages within its programmes, in which Indonesian is the only Asian language that is taught at Flinders University. Professor Lemm also presented several other programmes, such as Creative Arts programme that teaches film, dance and drama.

This presentation was followed by a discussion between the faculty members of both universities. Future collaborations are open for the 6 departments of Fisipol. The Department of Communication Studies considered to collaborate with Flinders University’s Creative Arts programme, as this department has recently opened an International Undergraduate Programme (IUP). In addition, the Department of Sociology also planned to start Social Transformation studies with Flinders University.

Generally, collaborations with foreign universities are associated with IUP students. However, opportunities are also open for all students. Regular students can also participate in exchange or double degree programmes. Afterwards, this meeting discussed several problems that exist in the collaboration process between the two universities. One notable problem is regarding the adjustment of the curriculum. Another notable problem is the issue of funding, which led to a lengthy discussion between the faculty members of both universities. This meeting showcases the development of the previous existing collaboration between the two universities.