Around 15 Widyatama University students will participate in a student exchange program to San Beda College in Manila in mid-November. This program is a collaboration between the two universities. Widyatama University Rector Mame S Sutoko stated that this student exchange is one way to prepare graduates to have the competencies needed in the workplace. “The 15 students participating in this exchange are those who have high TOEFL scores,” said Mame. According to him, Indonesia’s education system is far behind that of Malaysia. “So, to reduce this gap, we are trying to catch up in this way, which is more economical for students because we are arranging home stays that do not require fees but are also effective,” he explained. This program is outlined in an MoU between the two universities that was signed on Wednesday (6/8/2008).
The MoU was signed by Widyatama Rector Mame S Sutoko and Deputy Rector for International Office, Petrina Faustine. Meanwhile, San Beda College was represented by its Rector, Mateo J De Jesus, and Vice Rector, who also serves as San Beda College’s Finance Director, Alberic P Lazerna. In addition, there will also be cooperation covering Credit Earnings, Joint Research, and the exchange of teaching staff. San Beda College has the third best accounting department in the Philippines. This university has also been granted full autonomy by the government.
With this collaboration, said Deputy Rector for International Office, Petrina Faustine, Widyatama students now have more options. Such as academic collaboration with Troy State University in Alabama, USA, namely the Twinning Program, where the first two years of education are carried out by the International Program at Widyatama. There is also collaboration with various universities in Germany, France, and Malaysia.
