FATM NEWS – Asia Technological University Network (ATU-Net) has initiated an international student forum in October 2020, entitled The ATU-Net Online Global Classroom on Innovation and Technology in the Pandemic Era. This activity aims to foster a mutual friendship and a good relationship between students from all over universities in Asia during the difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is a forum-based student activity in order to share students’ experiences and thoughts about the pandemic situation in their respective countries and to explain its impact on their lives and surroundings. In addition, students also shared innovative technology-based ideas and solutions applied in their respective countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This program is expected to create positive relationships among international students and foster critical thinking and solutions toward global issues.
ATU-Net itself is a strategic international alliance in which Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) takes the role as a chair. ATU-Net was established on August 9, 2016, during the 8th University President Forum at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The ultimate goal is to support university members in achieving world-class quality of education and research in technology through international alliance. Membership of this network is open to all universities in Asia that focus on technology. Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) and Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) are also members of this international network.
At the ATU-Net Online Global Classroom on Innovation and Technology in the Pandemic Era, participants had the opportunity to take part in international webinar series as well as the opportunity to present their innovations and ideas at an international discussion forum. Universitas Airlangga University delegated 5 student representatives for this event, in which 3 of them are students of the Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline (FATM) UNAIR. Muhamad Farhan Wirakusuma and Fadillah Willis Triyayuda are students of Data Science Technology study program, whereas Fathia Feriztha Saifuddin is a student from Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Engineering study program of FATM UNAIR. They actively participated along with other students from three different universities, such as Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Shibaura Institute of Technology Japan, and Universiti Teknologi Brunei. Additionally, Universitas Airlangga also delegated Ika Qutsiati Utami, S.Kom., M.Sc. to be the moderator for the discussion session.
The following are students’ opinion about their experiences after participating on ATU-Net International Forum:
“When I attended the ATU-Net Online Global Classroom on Innovation and Technology, I was able to engage with my colleagues who came from 3 different countries. At this event, we discussed and shared our ideas and thoughts about the impact of Covid-19 in our respective countries. We also shared some solutions to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the continuity of the student learning process. “(Muhamad Farhan Wirakusuma).
“In this international forum, we are in the same group with other students from 3 different countries. We discussed a problem that has been randomly assigned to us and structured the solutions regarding the solutions that have been implemented in our respective countries. Honestly, this event is my first international experience. We should have a fighting spirit on international-scale activities, not just on national-scale activities. Thus, I feel enthusiastic and excited to be able to engage and convey my opinion in the next international forum.” (Fadillah Willis Triyayuda).
Toward the end, three of them shared that having a sense of courage to participate in international activities can help us to develop our speech skill and monitor our English proficiency. Although speaking up in an international forum is quite challenging, yet continuous practice can help us to overcome it. Furthermore, by sharing this small yet precious experience, they encourage all Ksatria Airlangga to be motivated and more enthusiastic in achieving a better future for themselves and for our beloved Universitas Airlangga.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them,” they said.
Penulis:Ika Qutsiati Utami (Dosen Fakultas Teknologi Maju dan Multidisiplin)
