FIB Unhas – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Hasanuddin, has once again held a send-off for students receiving the 2+2 joint degree scholarship for the Mandarin for Communication and Technology (BMKT) Program, on Friday, September 19, 2025.
The event, which took place at the Prof. Mattulada Hall, FIB Unhas, from 08.30 – 10.30 WITA, was attended by Unhas leadership, representatives from Nanchang University, as well as the students and parents of the program recipients.
Attendees included the Director of Partnerships Unhas (representing the Vice-Rector IV), the Sub-director of International Education, the Dean of FIB Unhas along with Vice Deans I and III, representatives from the International Office, Prof. Woo from the Unhas Mandarin Language Center (Confucius Institute), and the CEO of Nisco as an industry partner.
The 2+2 joint degree program itself has been running since 2020. Students complete two years of study at Unhas, then continue for the next two years at Nanchang University, China. After graduating, they are entitled to diplomas from both universities.
“The first cohort is now working in companies as translators, or as Mandarin teachers in government institutions,” explained the Head of the BMKT Study Program.
This year, 13 students were selected from 23 applicants through a rigorous selection process. The Dean of FIB, in his speech, emphasized the importance of upholding the alma mater’s name. He even included a Bugis-Makassar proverb: “Sekali layarku terkembang, pantang biduk surut ke pantai,” (Once my sail is unfurled, the boat shall never retreat to the shore), he said, reminding the students departing for Nanchang not to return without new knowledge useful for the Indonesian nation. He also advised them to “guard Unhas as the predecessors guarded it.”
The Director of Partnerships Unhas added that this program not only strengthens international academic networks but also boosts Unhas’s reputation in the QS WUR rankings. “Activities like this are in line with the encouragement from the Directorate of Higher Education (Dikti) and directly impact the alumni waiting period for employment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Woo expressed his pride. “Choosing BMKT means choosing to understand China,” he stated. A similar message came from the CEO of Nisco, who hoped the students would return with superior skills.
The event concluded with a symbolic handover from the Dean of FIB to the students, followed by a video screening of Nanchang University and a traditional Chinese dance performance—a reminder that language is always closely intertwined with culture.(*)
