Johor Bahru, 18 November 2018 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) received a courtesy visit from the delegates of Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar. The delegation was headed by Drs. Muhammad Arifin Dangnga, (Director), accompanied by Herry Rachmat Widjaja, (Head of academic, students and general administration affair), Dr. Muhammad Arfin Muhammad Salim (Head of Research and Community Services Center), Mr Darwis Sabang, Mrs Surya Dewi Tantu and Ms Imas Masrina (Ministry of Tourism, Indonesia). Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar is one of the state tourism institutions in the eastern part of Indonesia under the supervision of the Tourism Ministry of Indonesia.
Their arrival was welcomed by Dr Hanita Hassan, Chair of Language Academy, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), UTM and other representatives from FSSH. They were given a tour of the faculty and the university at large.
Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar expressed the intention to build partnership with FSSH, UTM and was keen to cooperate on the joint academic activities and mobility programs involving students and staff. Both parties discussed bilateral issues for future collaborations.
Some highlights of the discussion include the possibilities to collaborate in post graduate programmes, research, short language and intercultural courses as well as joint conferences.
Delegates of Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar later attended a Pecha Kucha style knowledge sharing session at Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Danga Bay. The presentation is entitled “The Making of the Illustrated Heritage of West Johor Strait Book.” The book was published by IRDA in collaboration with UTM. The delegates found the presentation relatable as Makassar is gazetted as one of the marine tourism havens of Indonesia.
It is hoped that UTM and Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar will foster a strong academic bond and explore more opportunities for cooperation in the future.