en.malanginspirasi.com – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya (FISIP UB), held a series of collaborative cultural activities at Ho Chi Minh City Open University (HCMCOU), Vietnam as a part of its cultural diplomacy strategy.
The event was also strengthening international academic cooperation that took place from Thursday to Saturday (April 23-25, 2026).
These activities included cultural workshops, guest lectures, and collaborative teaching, as an effort to strengthen inter-institutional relations and expand academic networks globally.
First Day Workshop
On the first day, Thursday (April 23, 2026), FISIP UB presented a Malang Mask (Topeng Malangan) Workshop as part of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy mission.
Approximately 60 HCMCOU students attended the event as they also demonstrated high enthusiasm, particularly during the mask painting practice session.
This workshop served as a strategic platform to introduce Indonesian cultural heritage and foster cross-cultural interaction between students from both countries.
A lecturer in the Communication Studies Program and Expert Staff Ika Rizky Yustisia, S.I.Kom., M.A., who is also the Vice Dean I of FISIP UB, delivered the workshop materials and practical.
In this session, participants were not only getting the idea of the history of the Topeng Malangan, but also understanding its philosophical values and to practice the creative process of mask painting.
The Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of FISIP Brawijaya University, Reza Safitri, S.Sos., M.Si., Ph.D., emphasized that this activity is part of a cultural diplomacy strategy integrated into international academic collaboration.
“This Topengan Malang Workshop is a concrete form of cultural diplomacy that we bring to every international cooperation mission,” he said.
She added that going forward, he hopes this activity will not only serve as an introduction to culture, but also become a gateway for strengthening academic collaboration in the field of cultural empowerment and preservation as part of the implementation of the Tridharma of Higher Education.
Second Day of Workshop
Entering the second day, Friday (April 24, 2026), the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) continued its series of activities through a guest lecture and academic discussion entitled “Strengthening the Strategic Role of the Southeast Asian Region.”
This activity is part of the implementation of the collaboration between FISIP UB and HCMCOU, while also opening up a broader academic dialogue regarding regional dynamics.
In the session, Dr. Dewa Ayu Putu Eva Wishanti, Ph.D., lecturer in International Relations at FISIP UB and Secretary of the International Relations Office (IRO), presented material on the importance of Southeast Asian connectivity as a foundation for sustainable regional cooperation.
She emphasized that strengthening relations between countries depends not only on economic aspects, but also on people-to-people connectivity and cultural exchange.
She also outlined FISIP UB’s flagship programs, such as the Brawijaya International Student Mobility Award (BISMA) and the Brawijaya Academic Student Immersion Program (BASIS), which have attracted international student participation through various academic and cultural activities.
These programs can become the best means of introducing Indonesia and strengthening students’ global networks.
She also explained the close relationship between Indonesia and Vietnam in various sectors, not only culturally but also in trade. This trade sector is evident in the connectivity between the port of Surabaya.
The connectivity between the port of Surabaya and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the growing popularity of culture and culinary delights, are indicators of the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.
“Strengthening Southeast Asian studies is crucial for understanding the region’s strategic position in supporting global economic resilience and building inclusive regional diplomacy,” he explained.
She also encouraged HCMCOU students to continue their studies at FISIP UB and to participate in student exchange programs and cross-border research collaborations.
Final Workshop Day
Entering the third day, Saturday (April 25, 2026), FISIP UB continued its activities through a collaborative teaching session in the Indonesian Language and Culture class, as a part of the curriculum for students in the Southeast Asian Studies Study Program at HCMCOU.
This session was led by Reza Safitri, Ph.D., accompanied by Dewa Putu Ayu Eva Wishanti, Ph.D., Ika Rizky Yustisia, and Novy Setia Yunas.
In this activity, HCMCOU students who have been studying Indonesian since their fourth semester gained a more comprehensive learning experience.
The material presented focused not only on linguistic aspects, but also on the social, cultural, and communication contexts that reflect Indonesian identity from a Southeast Asian perspective.
Reza emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach to international learning.
“Through this co-teaching session, we want to provide learning that is not only academic, but also builds cross-cultural understanding directly, with language as a crucial entry point for understanding.”
“Understand the values, identity, and social dynamics of a nation,” he said.
This series of activities not only strengthens the institutional relationship between FISIP UB and HCMCOU but also opens up opportunities for broader collaboration, ranging from student mobility programs and joint research to international curriculum development.
