The Mindanao State University at Naawan - Office of International Affairs and Linkages (MSUN-OIAL) has been invited to participate in the inaugural session of the BRIDGES Foreign Language Program on July 28, 2023. The first edition, led by Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) - External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA), University of Antique (UA), and STIKI-Malang, highlighted the fundamentals of Bahasa Language and essential information about Indonesia’s country profile.

The first speaker, Dr. Mukhlis Amien from Sekolah Tinggi Informatika & Komputer Indonesia (STIKI) Malang presented the history, culture, and geography of Indonesia. He showcased their traditional orchestra called the “Gamelan”, the shadow puppetry “Wayang Kulit”, and their religious structures called “Candi”, their cuisine “Rendang” which originated from Minangkabau region in West Sumatra, Indonesia. While Dr. Zusana E. Pudyastuti, S.S., MP.D., also introduced the basics in Bahasa language and encouraged the participants to introduce themselves in Bahasa. It must be noted that there are almost similar sounding words between Bahasa and Filipino that also mean the same, some of these are: “kamu” in Indonesian means “you”, kami means “we”, “ini/itu” means “it/this/that”.

This foreign language program will have their second edition soon and registration details will also be posted in the MSU at Naawan - Office of International Affairs and Linkages Facebook page.