KUPANG – Nusa Cendana University (Undana) continues to strengthen its commitment toward becoming a World-Class University by welcoming a delegation of international students from France on Thursday (May 7, 2026). The visit was part of the Joint Culture Camp (JCC) program initiated by the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya, aimed at introducing the rich cultural heritage of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to the international community.
Undana Rector, Prof. Jefri S. Bale, accompanied by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Annytha I.R. Detha, personally welcomed the delegation, consisting of six French students and two student facilitators from ITS, at the Undana Rectorate Building.
Eksplorasi Budaya dan Literasi Global
Selama periode 4 hingga 9 Mei 2026, para mahasiswa internasional yang berasal dari berbagai kampus ternama di Prancis—seperti INSA Toulouse, Epita, INSA Lyon, IMT Atlantique, dan INSA Strasbourg—menjalani serangkaian agenda intensif di Pulau Timor. Mereka mempelajari alat musik Sasando, teknik menenun kain tradisional, hingga menyelami kebudayaan suku Helong.
Tak hanya menjadi subjek pembelajar, para mahasiswa asing ini juga berkontribusi langsung kepada masyarakat Kupang dengan membuka kelas Bahasa Inggris. Selain itu, mereka melakukan kunjungan akademik ke sejumlah fakultas di Undana, di antaranya Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis (FEB), Fakultas Peternakan, Kelautan, dan Perikanan (FPKP), serta Fakultas Sains dan Teknik (FST).
Strategi Internasionalisasi melalui Skema Kolaborasi
Kepala International Relations Office (IRO) Undana, Santri E. P. Djahimo, Ph.D., menjelaskan bahwa partisipasi Undana dalam JCC merupakan langkah strategis untuk meningkatkan eksposur kampus di level global. Sejak mendaftar pada Januari lalu dan melewati tahap asesmen oleh ITS pada April, Undana berhasil mendapatkan kuota enam mahasiswa, melampaui target awal yang hanya tiga orang.
“Through this program, Undana and East Nusa Tenggara will gain greater recognition among international students through the participants’ firsthand experiences and testimonials. We are deeply grateful to ITS for providing this valuable opportunity for collaboration. It also serves as a learning platform for us as we prepare to initiate and manage our own international programs in the future,” said Santri.
Student Impressions and Future Prospects
Gyneth Lawrence, a student from Epita, France, expressed her admiration for the academic environment at Undana, which remains closely connected to nature and offers a unique learning atmosphere. She noted that the experience had provided valuable insights into Indonesian culture and university life.
Gyneth also expressed her hope that the cultural exchange program would continue in the years ahead and involve a larger number of participants from both national and international institutions.
“I hope this program will continue and expand, allowing more students from different backgrounds and countries to experience cultural exchange and learn from one another,” she said.
The successful visit of the French student delegation represents another important step in Undana’s internationalization journey. With more frequent interactions with the global community, the University is confident in its ability to enhance its international profile while showcasing the unique cultural and developmental potential of East Nusa Tenggara to the world. (Hec)
