Over the past two decades, South Korea has massively expanded its education sector, including higher education. Universities under the South Korean Ministry of Education actively promote their institutions to international students to enhance competitiveness and enhance international exchange and cooperation, including with Indonesia.
As one of Indonesia's leading universities, Universitas Airlangga continuously strives to enhance its students' potential and knowledge by collaborating with other universities abroad and supporting student exchange programs. One such effort is evident in its student exchange program to Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), South Korea.
Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) is located in the historic city of Jeonju, South Korea. As the flagship national university for Jeollabuk-do Province, JBNU was established in 1947 with provincial funds within the framework of South Korea's national university system. Today, JBNU has grown to 17 faculties (including the School of Public Policy and the Jimmy Carter School of International Studies) and 14 graduate schools (one general, nine specialized, and four professional).
JBNU's Fall Semester Exchange Program 2022 is an exchange program for international students from universities that have partnered with JBNU, one of which is Universitas Airlangga. Students can study Korean language and culture, as well as courses related to their fields of study. This student exchange program is held offline for approximately 6 months, from September 2022 to February 2023, with international students from various parts of the world. Selected students will receive scholarships in the form of tuition fees and accommodation during their studies. For this semester, six students have passed the selection and are eligible to participate in the program from Universitas Airlangga . One of them is a 2019 Islamic Economics student named Filzah Thahirah Amanina.
This activity also helps Universitas Airlangga achieve SDG 4, Quality Education, as it aims to develop students' potential and broaden their horizons, as well as provide a platform for technology transfer in line with their study programs. By participating in the student exchange program, students can meet other students and academics from various countries around the world.