Surakarta – The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) once again serves as the host of the SEA Teacher program, a student exchange program for teaching practice across Southeast Asia. In this period, FKIP UMS welcomes three students from Capiz State University, Philippines, who will carry out teaching practice at partner schools for approximately four weeks.
The three students are Jane Emerald Barrera, Nomer Jr. Narciso, and Mariela Jarce Compuesto. They will conduct their teaching practice at SMP Muhammadiyah 5 Kerten, Surakarta, until February 24, 2025. The program aims to provide cross-cultural teaching experience for students, broaden their perspectives on education systems, and strengthen relationships among educational institutions in Southeast Asia.
Vice Dean 1 of FKIP UMS, Mauly Halwat Hikmat, Ph.D., warmly welcomed the SEA Teacher students and expressed hope that they would gain valuable experiences during their stay in Indonesia. “We are very pleased to be part of this program and we hope the students can learn a lot as well as share knowledge with teachers and students at our partner school,” said Mauly Halwat Hikmat, Ph.D.
Meanwhile, the Principal of SMP Muhammadiyah 5 Kerten stated that the program provides significant benefits for the school, especially in enhancing students’ experiences in interacting with teachers from abroad. “We hope our students gain new insights in learning, particularly in communication and teaching methods applied by the students from the Philippines,” he said.
Through the SEA Teacher program, FKIP UMS remains committed to strengthening international collaboration networks and improving the quality of education through partnerships with various universities in Southeast Asia. It is expected that the experiences gained by the participating students will positively contribute to the development of education in their respective countries.