Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), in conjunction with its 70^th Anniversary celebrations, is collaborating with the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia (TEFLIN) to host the 70^th TEFLIN and 17^th CONAPLIN International Conference under the theme “Diverse Voices: Navigating World Englishes in Language Pedagogy and Language Policy.” This prestigious event is a collaboration among four different units in UPI, among others are the Language Center, English Education Study Program, and English Language and Literature Study Program of the Faculty of Language and Literature Education, as well as the Linguistics Study Program of UPI School of Graduate Studies, held at the Achmad Sanusi Building from October 23-25, 2024.

This annual international conference brings together the TEFLIN and CONAPLIN traditions. This event provides a platform for experts and practitioners in English language teaching, as well as those engaged in applied linguistics research, to share their ideas, research findings, and experiences. In addition, the presenters can share the trends and innovations, as well as their best practices.

The conference theme this year focuses on the crucial role of English as a global language and its diversity in the contexts of language teaching and policy. Specific topics in applied linguistics are also explored to enrich this grand event. This international conference is attended by more than 450 speakers and participants from 17 countries, among others are Malaysia, United Kingdon, Hungary, Vietnam, Italy, Japan, etc.

The keynote speaker for the conference is Alastair Pennycook, a renowned expert from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Plenary speakers include Tariq Elyas from King Abdul Aziz University, Saudi Arabia; Roby Marlina from SEAMEO RELC; Emi Emilia from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia; and Dina Mehmedbegovic-Smith from University College London. In addition to the keynote and plenary sessions, the conference features other interesting forums such as the Global National Expert Forum (GNEF) with speakers from TEFLIN Affiliates, Featured Presentations, and a series of workshops on various topics. 

In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Dr. Bunyamin Maftuh, M.Pd., M.A., Vice Rector for Research, International Affairs, Partnership, and Business at UPI, stated that this conference not only serves as a gathering place for renowned experts and academics in the field of English language education and applied linguistics but also plays a significant role in celebrating UPI’s 70^th Anniversary, with the spirit of “UPI Berkarya, UPI Mendunia.” This event, he further explained, demonstrates UPI’s commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment that values diversity, innovation, and intellectual exchange.

Meanwhile, TEFLIN President, Prof. Utami Widiati, stated that English, as a global language today, has been greatly influenced by the unique identities of its users. This inevitably poses new challenges for teachers in positioning English as a global language that is not owned by one or a few nations but by many people with diverse identities.

In line with its theme, the three-day conference is expected to generate a wide range of fresh and innovative ideas that can positively contribute to the development of English language teaching and applied linguistics, both nationally and globally. 

Bali, September 13, 2024 – The Literature Team of the English Language and Literature Study Program, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia conducted a launching for a collaborative training program with Balai Guru Penggerak (Transformational Teachers) of Bali. Helmed by the Head of the English Language and Literature Study Program, Prof. Eri Kurniawan, M.A., Ph.D. as the project coordinator, the team was greeted warmly and given a positive response by Dr. I Wayan Surata, S.Pd., M.Pd. as the Head of BGP Bali. This program provided workshops to train transformational teachers, consisting of 19 members who teach at 19 different junior high schools. Motivated by recent issues related to violence at educational institutions, particularly in schools, the English Language and Literature Study Program conducted this training to specifically raise awareness regarding this issue and also to propose strategies to combat and prevent this issue.

On the opening day on the 22nd of June, The Literature Team presented and proposed the concept of “Writing for Healing”. The literature team focused on the creative outlet for those who have been impacted by violence at school, particularly bullying which currently has become a hot-button issue in the media. This proposed strategy is aimed to be implemented by these teachers with their students.

It needs to be noted that the concept of “Writing for Healing” is not a way to cure mental health issues and trauma as a result of violence at school but rather a form of creative outlet to express one’s self. Previous studies about the effects of writing like those conducted by James W. Pennebaker from the University of Texas in Austin about the impact of expressive writing as well as The Decameron Project that used writing to provide a way to cope during the pandemic, became a few amongst several others that became inspirations for the concept of “Writing for Healing”. 

The Literature Team consists of six members, including Dr. Nia Nafisah, S.S., M.Pd. as the leader of the team; Prof. Bachrudin Musthafa, M.A., Ph.D.; Prof. Ahmad Bukhori Muslim, M. Ed., Ph. D; Dr. Rd. Safrina, M.A., Nita Novianti, M.A., Ph. D.; and Rendila Restu Utami, S.S., M.A. The workshop was divided into online and offline meetings. The offline workshop was conducted in Bali on the 22nd of June as part of the launching of the program and the online meeting was conducted on the 28th of July 2024. The online meeting provided an explanation of the Writing for Healing concept and gave a chance for the transformational teachers of Bali to write.

On the 28th of July 2024, the Literature Team presented their online workshop from 08.00 until 15.30 Western Indonesia Time. The rundown consisted of several presentations, a workshop, and a talk show. The presentations gave a more detailed concept of Writing for Healing and the model of writing for healing, a discussion about the role of contemplating in writing, and an overview of techniques and types of writing. The second half of the schedule consisted of a writing workshop using Padlet. The team encouraged the transformational teachers to share their experiences and also to write based on the prompts given. The workshop then continued with a sharing session that gave a space for the transformational teachers to share their works and their personal experiences. The schedule ended with a talk show that discussed their works and plans on how to implement this strategy of healing with their students.

With these efforts, hopefully, the concept and strategies proposed can serve as a model not only for the transformational teachers of Bali who attended the workshop but also on a larger scale.

(PkM Bali Tim 3 Sastra)

With other universities in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) received an Erasmus+ grant for Capacity Building in Higher Education for 2020-2024, focusing on teacher education and civil engineering. This project aims to contribute to the internationalization of higher education institutions in Southeast Asia by developing a series of interrelated measures in three fundamental recognition mechanisms. The team members for teacher education include Prof. Dinn Wahyudin (Faculty of Educational Sciences), Prof. Ahmad Bukhori Muslim and Dr. Yanty Wirza (Faculty of Languages and Literature Education), Prof. Vanessa Gaffar and Dr. Heny Mulyani (Faculty of Economics and Business Education). Meanwhile, the civil engineering team members are Dr. Juang Akbardin, Dr. Nanang Dalil Herman, Dr. Rakhmat Yusuf, Dr. Dadang M. Ma’soem, Mrs. Mardiyani, Mrs. Istiqomah, Mrs. Siti Nur Asyiah and Mr. Odih Supratman (Faculty of Vocational and Technology Education). 

The CALOHEA Erasmus+ project has developed Regional Subject-Specific Reference Frameworks to facilitate the recognition of degrees and study periods within the ASEAN region and between ASEAN and other world regions.

A Qualifications Framework is a structure that classifies different qualifications within a geographical area and establishes broad equivalence of qualifications (e.g., undergraduate levels) across the region. This framework describes the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competences a learner will have developed upon completing a particular level of studies.

Regional Qualifications Reference Frameworks aim to establish broad equivalence among qualifications offered in multiple countries. These frameworks are intended to be used as reference documents to facilitate recognition without overruling national regulations or national qualifications frameworks. Examples include the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

The CALOHEA Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Frameworks facilitate recognition by:

1. Identifying key dimensions each program in a subject area must address.
2. Establishing equivalence between qualifications offered in different countries, regardless of local terminology.
3. Expressing the specialization of particular programs regarding the sub-dimensions addressed.
4. Comparing the level of achievement for each sub-dimension, in terms of knowledge, skills, or responsibilities.
5. Comparing shorter study periods where only specific types of knowledge, skills, or responsibilities are developed.

The CALOHEA Regional Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Frameworks detail the expected knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies of graduates from ARQF Level 6 degrees in Civil Engineering, Medicine, and Teacher Education. These frameworks allow for recognition across all participating countries.

The CALOHEA Erasmus+ project is coordinated by the Tuning Academy of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and the ASEAN University Network and is co-funded by the European Commission.

For more information, visit CALOHEA Reference Frameworks at https://calohea.org/

A visit to the UPI Edu Fabrication Lab (Fablab) was carried out by the coordinator of the Leading University Project for International Cooperation (LUPIC), Prof. WonKoo Lee from Sogang University, South Korea, on December 18 2023. The aim of the visit was to check the implementation of equipment procurement assistance provided by the South Korean Government to Fablab Edu UPI. In his direction, Prof. WonKoo Lee expressed his satisfaction with the equipment provided by Fablab Edu UPI and hoped that it could improve the quality of science education, especially chemistry education in Indonesia.

He also hopes that Fablab Edu can be used by students, teachers and the wider community, so that it can provide greater benefit value. It was further stated that Fablab Edu UPI would be used as a model for establishing Fablabs at Semarang State University (UNNES) and Ganesha Education University (UNDIKSA) which together with UPI received assistance from the South Korean government through the LUPIC program. During a visit to the UPI Edu Fablab, Prof. WonKoo Lee accompanied by Prof. Jin Seok Lee from Hanyang University Korea, who has a lot of experience in making artificial organs using Fablab 3D Printer equipment and also present Dr. Cepi Kurniawan from UNNES.

Triannisa, person in charge (PIC) for Fablab Edu equipment procurement, stated that the number of tools that had been purchased was 21 tools consisting of 3D Printer filament and resin, CNC laser cutting, 3D scanner, UV printer and vinyl cutting with funds totaling around 750 million rupiah. . Triannisa further stated that with the Fablab equipment, students would be able to create more realistic three-dimensional media. This will increase students’ understanding of the abstract concepts they are studying. Apart from that, with the Fablab, students can realize the creative ideas they have thought of and can develop and build an entrepreneurial spirit.

Triannisa further stated that Fablab Edu was the first Fablab in Indonesia which was founded at universities with the main mission of preparing professional teachers. Fablab equipment based on digital technology will make it easier for teachers to create tools/media for learning. This is important for pre-service teacher to know and master these facilities. [TR]

[Bandung, November, 1^st 2023] — The first KF Project Presentation Contest 2023 held on the 1st of November 2023 at the Gedung PPPG, UPI’s 6th floor, witnessed an inspiring convergence of academic excellence and cross-cultural exploration. Under the theme “Beyond the Hallyu Wave,” students from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) and Universitas Pasundan (UNPAS) and engaged in a spirited competition, shedding light on various facets of Korean and Indonesian Language, History, Economic Development, Social Issues, Education, and Culture.

The KF Project Presentation Contest is a competitive platform where student teams delve into a comparative study between Korean and Indonesian Language, History, Economic Development, Social Issues, Education, and Culture. It encourages the development of critical thinking, team management, and public speaking skills among participants, providing them with an enriching experience and recognition in their academic journey.

The contest began with participants registering and submitting their work in .pdf or .pptx format. Following rigorous evaluation, twelve outstanding teams (six from UPI and six from UNPAS) were selected to present their findings and insights.

Distinguished judges, including Dr. Rd. Safrina Noorman, M.A., Prof. Kiho Kim, and Prof. Dr. H. Horas Djulius, SE., had the challenging task of evaluating the presentations. The winners and runners-up were subsequently announced, with the following top-performing teams:

Winners: Muhammad Luthfi Naufal and team; First Runner-Up (UPI): Fatia Sapitri and team; First Runner-Up (UNPAS): Nabil Ariella Permana and team; Second Runner-Up (UPI): Arini Lestari Sugiarti and team; Second Runner-Up (UNPAS): Aneng Selpia Juliana and team.

In the first winner presentation about Comparison of Metaphors Used Between Indonesian and Korean Pop Songs by Muhammad Luthfi Naufal, Adellia Siti Hendarty, and Lawrentia Sandracrystally Louisally Alexan clinched the first position with their insightful presentation on the intricate world of metaphors in Indonesian and Korean Pop Songs. Their analysis included an in-depth exploration of Keisya Levronka’s “Tak Ingin Usai” and AKMU’s “How Can I Love the Heartbreak You’re the One I Love.”

In their findings, the team highlighted that Indonesian sad songs tend to employ simple and easy-to-understand lyrics accompanied by high notes. In contrast, South Korean sad songs often utilize poetic lyrics filled with metaphors to convey the profound meaning of the song.

The awards presented at the KF Project Presentation Contest 2023 were not only a testament to the participants’ hard work but also a reflection of the generous support from the Korean Foundation. The Korean Foundation offered enticing rewards, with a total of 450 USD for the best team, 300 USD for two teams, and 150 USD for two additional teams.

These prizes serve not only as tokens of recognition but also as motivating factors for participants to showcase their best abilities and teamwork. The financial incentives provided by the Korean Foundation aim to celebrate outstanding achievements and foster a competitive and collaborative spirit among the participants.

As the collaboration between Kyung Hee University and Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia continues to flourish, we anticipate more engaging, enlightening, and inspiring contests in the future.

Author: Priscilla and Intan

Photo taken by Ravie and Arum