UKI Toraja introduced cultural diversity and the Indonesian language with the presence of seven international students through the Foreign Speakers Indonesian Language Program (BIPA). The seven students are Adebayo (Nigeria), Olorun Se Taiwo (Nigeria), Yogeswari (Malaysia), TS. Mohd. Suhari Bin Mohd. Shariff (Malaysia), Zabaedah Binti Abubakar (Malaysia), Sevgi Demiroglu (America), and Namnju Choi (Korea).
“These 7 international students are registered at the Higher Education base as UKI Toraja international students,” said Dr. Roni La’biran, M.Pd. as Head of the Cooperation and International Affairs Section of UKI Toraja. They are registered with the Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program (PBSI). Of the seven students, five of them, namely international students from Malaysia and Nigeria, chose to take part in the online program, this shows the flexibility in UKI Toraja’s educational approach. This online learning allows students to stay connected with quality teaching even though they are far from the physical campus.
The official acceptance of international students took place at the Christmas celebration of the Makale Christian Higher Education Foundation (YPTKM) and UKI Toraja on December 16 2023. This student acceptance was marked by the handing over of student identification cards (KTM) by the Chancellor of UKI Toraja, Dr. Oktovianus Pasoloran, SE, M.Si., Ak., CA. and the wearing of Toraja sarongs by the Dean of FKIP, Daud Rodi Palimbong, S.Pd., M. Pd., and the Head of the PBSI Study Program, Dr. Berthin Simega, SS, M.Pd.
Before starting activities at UKI Toraja, international students have attended a campus orientation designed specifically for them. This includes an introduction to campus facilities, academic life, and interaction with the local community. This orientation aims to ensure that international students can adapt and integrate themselves to feel comfortable in their new environment. The seven international students are taught by BIPA teachers who are APPBIPA certified. They are Judith Ratu Tandi Arrang, M.Pd. and Dr. Elisabet Magera, M.Pd.
With the arrival of these seven international students, UKI Toraja continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing an inclusive and international educational experience, opening the door to cultural exchange and global understanding within the campus environment.