The RETURN program aimed at rebuilding a sense of belonging to UNHAS and enable awardees to adapt effectively and wisely to the UNHAS situation and environment as well as design short and long term goals for a better future for themselves and also UNHAS. There were 13 awardees joining this program.
The RETURN program was officially opened by Andi Masyitha Irwan, Ph.D, Head of IO. In her speech, Mrs. Masyitha emphasized that the RETURN program would bring all awardees back to UNHAS after completing one semester abroad. Previous case, there was an awardee who experienced the discouragement phase and never came back to campus after the arrival to finish the study.
This was the reason to hold this orientation. Also, she believes that the awardees' host universities are definitely better than UNHAS. Therefore, she also made the analogy that living and studying at the university was like being in the sky and then returning to earth as their realities where UNHAS was their foothold.
She indeed hoped all awardees took this orientation into account. Meanwhile, Prof. Sumbangan Baja, M.Phil., Ph.D (UNHAS Secretary) who came a bit later conveyed his gratitude for awardees achievement on IISMA. He also encouraged the awardees to prepare themselves as UNHAS might launch several student mobility programs including exchange, paper presentation in the international conference/seminar, and international internship, etc.
The session provided for awardees were Self Reflection, How to Adapt Effectively and Wisely as well as Setting Short and Long Term Goals. The first session was facilitated by Muhammad Ridwan, M.A. and Saaduddiin, M.Sc., while the second session was facilitated by Khaeruddin, Ph.D and Haniek Khoirunnissa, M.Sc and the last one was facilitated by Elvita Bellani, M.Sc.
The first and the second sessions facilitators explained the materials mostly based on their best practices when studying abroad for pursuing their doctoral and master’s degree. In addition, Ms. Elvita, UNHAS psychologist who is in charge of Psychology Services as well as teaching at Psychology Study Program of Faculty of Medicine, came up with materials for psychology aspects. By having our psychologist, the IO expected the awardees might be able to adapt smoothly without any significant psychological issues in facing UNHAS as their real university. The RETURN program ended with the distribution of breaking the fast snacks to all those present.
