Udayana University Faculty of Tourism Collaborates with UiTM and Sunway University Malaysia

The Faculty of Tourism at Udayana University (Unud), which is popularly known as the Pink Campus, is exploring cooperation with the neighboring country, Malaysia. There were two campuses visited, namely, the Faculty of Hotel Management & Tourism, UiTM Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Permatang Pauh Campus (11-12/06-Penang) and a visit to the School of Hospitality & Service Management Sunway University (12-14/06) Kuala Lumpur. These two tourism education institutions in Malaysia have agreed with the Unud Faculty of Tourism to work together and collaborate in efforts to improve academic quality in the tourism sector (education, research and community service) in the future.

The visit of the Unud Tourism Faculty group to explore cooperation and signing the MoU to Malaysia was directly led by the Dean of the Unud Tourism Faculty, Dr. I Wayan Suardana who was accompanied by the Deputy Deans, namely, Yayu Indrawati Ph.D and Dr. Nyoman Ariana, as well as Administrative Coordinator (TU) Nengah Yudani, M.Acc.

During their visit to UiTM Penang, the Unud Tourism Faculty group was warmly and friendly received by Prof. Hashim Fadsil Ariffin as Head of Office Study accompanied by institutional leaders, Prof. Azila Azmi, Dr. Nor Khadijah Mohd Ashari, Dr. Suria Sulaiman and lecturers at the local campus. After the signing of the MoU and discussion of the cooperation prospectus at UiTM was completed, the Unud Tourism Faculty group visited Sunway University and was received directly by the Dean of the School of Hospitality & Service Management of Sunway University, Dr. Daniel Chong who was accompanied by Dr. Lai Mun Yee and Prof. Alexander Trupp.

According to Dr. I Wayan Suardana, Faculty of Tourism Unud chose these two universities in Malaysia because both universities have good quality and reputation based on the QS World University Rankings, UiTM is in position 555 while Sunway University is ranked 539. Apart from that, these two campuses are geographically close , similarities in culture and traditions, and includes allied countries that both prioritize tourism policies to encourage economic growth in their communities through tourism development at both the national and international levels. This was conveyed by Dr. I Wayan Suardana when giving remarks on the sidelines of the MoU signing and discussing the forms and opportunities for future cooperation on the two campuses.

When the Unud Tourism Faculty group was at UITM (first day), Prof. Ariffin as Head of Study at the Faculty of Hotel Management & Tourism at UiTM Penang said that Bali from a tourism perspective is very impressive and has even become the best tourism destination at the global level. For this professor who specializes in tourism management, he added that we must build a sense of brotherhood and kinship between Indonesia and Malaysia. Because for a long time these two countries have been big brother and big sister.

Furthermore, in the middle of his presentation to introduce the local campus, Prof. Ariffin said that "there are several opportunities for collaboration between Unud and UITM, namely the realization of student scholarships, research collaboration, international service, as well as double degrees for master's and doctoral programs in the field of tourism." After the official MoU signing ceremony at UiTM was over, the Unud Tourism Faculty group was treated to lunch at a local campus restaurant with a typical local culinary menu.

On another occasion (second day), the Dean of the School of Hospitality at Sunway University, Dr. Daniel also provided an overview of Bali tourism with a similar statement. "Bali is unique, full of spiritual values ​​and practices, and Bali has a positive vibe," said Daniel. According to Daniel, building collaboration with the Unud Faculty of Tourism has great potential, this can be pursued through several collaborations, for example research collaboration, student exchanges, short courses, mobility programs, as well as further studies in master's and doctoral programs. In the midst of his presentation, Sunway Campus is one of the campuses that implements Integrated City for Destinations. This campus has various facilities, such as an international standard library, theme park, mall, hostel, apartments and other campus facilities.

Dr. Suardana, while at Sunway University, again said that the Unud Faculty of Tourism has been affiliated with various national and international institutions, such as collaboration with Nachang University, Nachang Normal University, Yamaguchi University, Griffith University (Double Degree Master of Tourism), Sorbonne University, and other universities . Meanwhile at the national level, the Unud Faculty of Tourism has collaborated with various tourism stakeholders from the government, tourism practitioners, communities, NGOs, and media activists. This form of collaboration can take the form of collaborative studies, consultants, workshops, technical guidance, as well as collaboration on the MBKM (Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka) implementation program.

During the inspection activities of the Unud Faculty of Tourism around Sunway which was guided directly by Dr. Lai Mun Yee. At this moment, Dr. Suardana said that the Unud Faculty of Tourism had the opportunity to organize research collaborations through the UNISERF (Udayana University International Senior Fellowship) Scheme and Socialization of Partnerships Institution-based Research International Research Grants (INSPIRE) with senior researchers at the two campuses. Apart from that, the Unud Faculty of Tourism can also collaborate on student programs such as IISMA, independent student exchange, short courses, and other student programs.

At the end of the discussion, Dr. Suardana said that "we have come to this campus and we really hope that next time the lecturers here can visit the Faculty of Tourism, Unud Bali. "Finally, FPar would like to express its gratitude for being well received with a sense of kinship by UiTM and Sunway University Malaysia," said the youngest dean at Unud after the dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business. (NA)