Dr. Wilma M. Tejero-Libarios
Dean, College of Business Administration Silliman University, Philippines
ACUCA FMS Recipient: June 9-14, 2024
Faculty Exchange at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia and Universitas Kristen Indonesia
The last four years have not been easy. We learned to be patient and acquired the art of independence. Our faith was strengthened. The pandemic taught us many lessons and offered many opportunities. We learned how to study independently, explore new ideas and gained new knowledge through distance learning aided with technology; find the peace that seems elusive in the day-to-day activities. Until we started readjusting to the new normal, we all hope that everything would get better and brighter for everyone. The fact that we now travel overseas with few restrictions, we have great faith that the world has moved past its challenges. And I include myself among those who have ventured outside of my country this year to experience the beauty of freedom in the vast expanse of space.
I had the privilege to participate in the ACUCA Faculty Exchange Program this year. With the help of the current ACUCA secretariat headed by Doshisha
University of Japan, Silliman University (SU) Office of Partnership and International Linkages, and the international officers of two institutions in Indonesia, I was able to organize a 6-day trip to Indonesia’s top universities which included Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia (AJCUI), my host institution, and Universitas Kristen Indonesia (UKI).
The visit had given me the chance to meet ACUCA members face to face who some three to four years ago, specifically in 2020 and 2021 when I served as the ACUCA secretary-general, participated ACUCA conferences and online breakout sessions, and the virtual Christmas thanksgiving and fellowships. Although short, the visit was very fruitful. I felt like running into old and new friends. It is heartwarming to recall our happy faces, relaxed round table discussions, and the warm welcome they extended to me. Indeed, we have built a strong ACUCA family within Asian region.
My objectives for this ACUCA FMS travel were fourfold: First, as dean of the College of Business Administration of SU, I wanted to expand our collaborations with top universities in Indonesia by finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SU and AJCUI as well as discuss specific terms for the faculty exchange between SU and UKI. Second, as a researcher and as an economics professor, I aimed to share SU’s good practices with them such as SU’s institutional strategies on curbing carbon emissions on campus including its strategies on zero-waste management, the use of renewable energy, and the university-wide installation of solar panels. Third, as Christian institutions of higher learning, I wanted to witness the vibrant Christian life university amidst the fact that Indonesia is predominantly a non-Christian country. And lastly, I wished to meet new friends and collaborate with Indonesia professors for future research undertakings.
The first day (June 10, 2024) in Indonesia was a meeting with the dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Communication Studies of AJCUI at its BSD campus, Dr. Eko Widodo together with his faculty members and students. This was also the day I met the head of the AJCUI international office headed by Mr. Andre Zaif Rachman and her senior staff Ms. Angela Merici. I gave a short presentation about Silliman University and its specific action to address climate change. I shared some good practices in addressing solid waste on campus which included SU’s zero-waste management program.
During the roundtable discussion, seven students enthusiastically discussed their experiences from their community immersion, especially the mangrove trees they planted on a small island as part of their environmental protection program. It was heartwarming to hear students taking their part in conserving our mother earth and showing great care to their community.
A tour at AJCJUI’s library, student dormitory, and university restaurant took place after the meeting. The university restaurant was particularly remarkable since, in addition to being a for profit-establishment, it served as laboratory for the Hotel and Restaurant Management major students under the supervisorship of Dr. Astuti Laturiuw. These students manage and operate the restaurant – conduct business plan, prepare the menu for the day, serve the customers, carry out business strategy, and make sure that everything runs smoothly and profitably. The students prepared and brought us freshly brewed coffee after they served us lunch.
On Day 2, I was headed to the main campus of AJCUI, the Semanggi campus, where Dr. Rosdiana Sijabat, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Communication Sciences and her team along with the head of the research program of the Institute of Research and Community Services, Mr. Daru Seto Anugrah waited for me. We had a fruitful discussion about service-learning, community engagements, and exploration of research areas for possible research collaborations between our universitas.
During this time, I was informed by Angela of the AJCUI International Office that the MOU has already been already reviewed and approved by its university legal office. We planned to have our respective university presidents sign the MOU simultaneously via Zoom in the first or second week of August.
After lunch, Angela and Andre introduced me to the campus ministry team of AJCUI headed by Fr. Harry Yudanto. The team impressed me with their presentation and I could see they were really committed to their job. According to the program, the Christian teaching and faith is so much integrated in the students’ academic lives. Despite the fact that Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country and AJCUI being a Catholic university, Fr. Harry’s campus ministry team demonstrates that God’s grace is limitless, as evidenced by the respect and inclusion of all religions and faiths in the university’s plans and programs. Nearly two hours were spent on the best practices exchange and discussion. We all left with contented smiles and hearts full of gratitude.
I was given a tour of the AJCUI main campus by a team led by Theodora Xenia. a sophomore student volunteer from the English Education Program. This added to the fun and education of the tour to Atma Jaya. We started at the main library, down to the bookstore and shops, then went to the university chapel. The best-quality woods and stones were used in constructing the chapel, and the interior design was beautiful. That was an artistic creation, a manifestation of love and respect for God.
My visit to the AJCUI chapel to end my second day gave me the opportunity to reflect and thank God for the blessings I receive each day and the protection He has provided me throughout my life.
On the third day was a visit to Universitas Kristen Indonesia or UKI. I was warmly greeted and welcomed by the dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Dr. Ktut Sivanita and her faculty members. After a short meeting, we went to the administration building to give a courtesy call to the Vice Rektor, Dr. Veda Sitepu. In a round table discussion, we each expressed our desire to further our partnership through a faculty exchange program. The following two months of my visit, that is, August 2024, a student from UKI will travel to the Philippines under the ACUCA SMS program and will stay for one semester as an exchange student at the Institute of Rehabilitative Science Program of SU.
The next day, June 13th, was a major gathering. A public lecture was organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business, and approximately one hundred students and faculty members participated. I was invited as one of the two professors to deliver the public lecture. The way things are done at UKI was really impressive. There was a clear sign of interest and engagement among academicians and students when then they attend the public lecture. I felt privileged to have been given a chance to share my paper in a foreign country on “Curbing Carbon Emissions on Silliman Campus: A Social Responsibility” and I felt blessed and humbled. Dr. Posma Hotasoit, my co-presenter, gave a really passionate lecture, and I found it impressive. He is a researcher; a brilliant economics professor in the campus. After the two presentations, there was an open forum in which the professors and students actively participated.
I was fortunate enough to be given a tour of the campus by a group of faculty and staff and students led by Ms. Benedicta Stella Fortunae of the UKI International Office, Prof. Darynaufal Muluyaman of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and Prof. Arya Gina Tarigan, the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business. The impressive library, conference rooms, campus chapel, health and wellness center, university hospital, and most importantly, kind and welcoming people made the campus tour productive and happy moment. We all had smiles on our faces, and I hope that one day I will be able to show them around the SU campus.
The trip to Indonesia would not be complete without visiting a historical landmark and meeting up with some Silliman alumni. Olaf Tobing and Ronald Sebayang showed me the beauty and culture of Indonesia with such kindness. They took me to Taman Mini after picking me up from UKI campus. Taman Mini is located in East Jakarta. It is made up of 26 replicas of traditional chieftains’ homes found throughout Indonesian archipelago I got the opportunity to see a wide variety of regional architecture during the tour, with the pavilions showcasing each province’s unique customs, arts, culture, and history of Indonesia.
According to history, Taman Mini was the brainchild of the former first lady of the country the construction of which started in 1971 and completed in 1975.
The brief meeting with Ronald and Olaf was like an endless conversation among old friends. Following the brief tour, I was treated to a sumptuous dinner and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. It was an amazing culinary experience and an unforgettable occasion with Indonesian friends who are also Filipinos in heart.
I express my gratitude to Ms. Glynnis Jean Casiño of the SU Partnership and International Linkages Office for her invaluable assistance in organizing my visit to these two great universities, as well as for her correspondence with the ACUCA Secretariat. Ms. Bene of UKI and Ms. Angela of AJCUI were incredibly kind with their time and expertise in setting up all I needed to have a fruitful stay in Indonesia. My sincere gratitude to the ACUCA Secretariat, under the direction of Doshisha University in Japan, for this fantastic experience and opportunity. To God be the glory!
