Ambassador of Indonesia and Rector Väänänen Opened a Bahasa Indonesia Language Course
On Tuesday, 26 September, a beginner's course to Bahasa Indonesia, i.e. Indonesian language, was launched at the University of Turku. In addition to Rector Kalervo Väänänen, for example the Ambassador of Indonesia to Finland Wiwiek Setyawati Firman participated in the opening event.
Ambassador Wiwiek Setyawati Firman thanked Rector Väänänen, Vice Rector Riitta Pyykkö and Director of the Centre for Language and Communication Studies Mike Nelson for the first Bahasa Indonesia language course in Finland which began at the University of Turku on 26 September.
The Centre for Language and Communication Studies at the University of Turku offers a unique chance for the University's students and staff to learn Bahasa Indonesia which is spoken daily by 200 million people. The beginner's course introduces the basics of the language as well as the diverse culture and history of the region. The teacher of the course is Rosita Rahma who has arrived all the way from Indonesia to teach the course.
In his speech, Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku noted that behind the beginner's course is an ambition to promote the University's internationality and transnational education. In addition, the Rector told about his visit to Indonesia and his admiration towards the local language.
According to Director Mike Nelson from the Centre for Language and Communication Studies, the course offers staff and students a possibility to get to know a non-European language and to learn about Indonesian history and culture.
– The University of Turku also has exchange programmes with the region's universities, therefore the course serves the possible outgoing exchange students as well, notes Nelson.
According to Mike Nelson, the course has been in preparation for nearly two years and he hopes students will find studying Bahasa Indonesia interesting.
The Centre for Language and Communication Studies supports the transnational education of the University of Turku by offering language and communications training as well as expertise in cross cultural communication to many ongoing projects.
– In addition to the Bahasa Indonesia course, we have offered language and communication courses to Namibian Bachelor's degree students in Rauma. We also had an important role in the language education of 25 Saudi teachers in a three month intensive course last summer. Next year, there will be a more extensive language education project with the Saudi teachers, says Nelson.
The opening event of the Bahasa Indonesia course was held on Tuesday, 26 September at 12pm in the facilities of the Centre for Language and Communication Studies. In addition to the group of seven Indonesians visiting Finland, Rector Kalervo Väänänen, Vice Rector Riitta Pyykkö, Mike Nelson and Ambassador of Indonesia to Finland Wiwiek Setyawati Firman participated in the opening event.
Text: Heikki Kettunen
Translation: Saara Yli-Kauhaluoma