UNAIR NEWS – Students from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continue to achieve remarkable feats, bringing pride to their alma mater. Four students from the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) UNAIR were selected to present their research project at “The 5th Se-Asia Biennial International Conference 2024.”
The conference took place at the University of the Philippines Diliman from Thursday to Saturday, July, 18-20, 2024. Around 200 teams participated in the event to present their research projects. These delegates were divided into 60 panels according to the sub-themes of their research. This prestigious event was attended not only by Asian countries but also by participants from Europe.
Research on Jaranan Mataraman
UNAIR representatives included Ilham Baskoro, Aidatul Fitriyah, Retno Asih Firnanda, and Mulia Ardy Boe Nainggolan. They come from various study programs, including English Language and Literature, History, and Indonesian Language and Literature.
They presented their research project on the “Historical and Representation of Jaranan Mataraman in Sanan Village, Blitar” at the event organized by The University of the Philippines Asian Center (UP Asian Center). Baskoro mentioned that this research project took place during the implementation of student organization’s Capacity Building Program BSO Pakarsajen in Blitar in 2023.
According to Baskoro, the conference was a perfect opportunity to promote the local art of Jaranan Mataraman, which has not received much public attention. “Through this event, we aim to introduce Jaranan Mataraman to a broader audience, including the international stage,” he said.
Youngest delegates
The journey to this event was challenging. One of the concerns was the gap between FIB delegates and other participants in the forum. They had to face senior academics and researchers. Moreover, they were the youngest delegates at this international conference.
This presented a unique challenge for Baskoro and his team, but it did not dampen their spirits. The FIB UNAIR team successfully presented their project and received positive responses from other delegates.
“We are very pleased to represent UNAIR on an international forum. Moreover, we received recognition and attention from other delegates. Considering we are still undergraduate students and had to face master’s students, doctoral candidates, professors, and professional researchers,” Baskoro stated.
Expanding networks
Fitriyah also highlighted that the conference was not only a moment to exchange ideas but also a golden opportunity to expand network with academic practitioners and professional researchers worldwide.
“The connections made at the conference are very valuable for future careers. Through this forum, we can sit at the same table with distinguished individuals and gain valuable insights from discussions,” she said.
In conclusion, Fitriyah emphasized that students should have clear target plans during their studies. She mentioned that students could choose various activities to support their careers, such as pursuing excellence through competitions and international conferences or participating in skill development activities like internships and organizations.
Author: Annisa Nabila
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
