Indonesian Becomes Compulsory Subject at Sofia University Bulgaria
- ANTARA
VIVA – The Indonesian embassy in Bulgaria and the Ministry of Education and Culture have succeeded in making Indonesian a compulsory subject at Bulgaria's Sofia University, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia. Therefore, college students at this university will soon be learning Indonesian mandatory.Â
Previously for 10 years, Indonesian language classes were only elective courses for students who mainly majored in South, East, and Southeast Studies, according to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
To follow up on the upgrading of the Indonesian language class status to a course, Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria Iwan Bogananta on Monday, December 19, 2022, met with Heads of the Department of South, East, and Southeast Studies Galina Sokolova and Reina Beneva at Sofia University.
Iwan and the two Sofia University professors discussed the sustainability of the program as well as joint efforts that can be made to ensure the successful implementation of the mandatory course in Indonesia.
Professor Sokolova said that the Indonesian language class as an elective course has always received positive feedback from students.
Therefore, Sofia University has decided to create a compulsory lecture module on Indonesia for 3rd year South, East, and Southeast Studies students. In the compulsory module, students not only learn the Indonesian language, but also the history, social society, and economic model of Indonesia.
On that occasion, Ambassador Iwan emphasizes that the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia will continue to actively participate in supporting programs that promote Indonesian culture. The mandatory module on Indonesia at Sofia University and the high interest of Bulgarian students to learn Indonesian are certainly achievements of Indonesian diplomacy in Bulgaria, he said.
"Soon, we will immediately communicate to relevant parties in Indonesia both at the government level and credible public and private universities ... to follow up on all plans and cooperation with Sofia University in the future," Iwan Bogananta remarked.
He also emphasized that coordination with the central government in Jakarta is very important as the teaching staff for the compulsory module requires special expertise and the Ministry of Education and Culture's curriculum and teaching methods have to be adapted to Bulgarian customs.