Korean Literature Department of Gadjah Mada University Visits BKPBM

Yogyakarta, MelayuOnline.com, On Wednesday (18/6), The Head of Korean Literature Department, Gadjah Mada University, Suray Agung Nugroho, together with several lecturers and South Korean students visited Balai Kajian dan Pengembangan Budaya Melayu-BKPBM (Balai Kajian dan Pengembangan Budaya Melayu). Along with the entourage was the Head of Korean Study Center, Dr. R.R. Novi Kussuji Indrastuti, M. Hum.

The visitors from Korean Literature Department looked around Balai Melayu – the office building of BKPBM – guided by Nursaed Ali Rido and Teuku “Poncut” Cut Mahmud Aziz. Rido and Poncut clearly explained the entire parts of Balai Melayu building and its philosophy. After hanging around, the guests went to the meeting hall of BKPBM.

In that meeting, Hadi Kurniawan – the Executive Director of BKPBM – welcomed cordially the visit of Korean Literature Department to BKPBM. Hadi Kurniawan also delivered a welcome greeting from Mahyudin Al Mudra – the Head of BKPBM who could not attend the meeting because of illness.

Hadi remarked that every cooperation that will be established from both institutions aims for creating a better human civilization. “Whatever we will do for the future, it must be aimed for human civilization. Knowledge is meaningless if it doesn‘t make human civilization better.”

Suray Agung Nugroho expressed his amazement for the existence of BKPBM located in Yogyakarta. The first time he knew BKPBM was from a participant of International Seminar Indonesia-Malaysia Update 2008 coming from University of Malaya. Korean Literature Department visited BKPBM for Poncut‘s invitation. “I will invite more Korean students in Korean Literature Department to visit BKPBM.” Suray promised.

Novi Kussuji Indrastuti added that from this dialogue, hopefully there would be cross-cultural researches on Malay and Korean cultures. She remarked that there are some similarities both Malay and Korean such as a rite after pregnancy. Likewise, Korean folklores having the same symbols as Malay folklores. “We may conduct collective programs. Therefore, we must cooperate not only in text translation, but also in cross-cultural research.” She added.

Ahmad Salehudin responded enthusiastically Novi‘s idea. “So far, BKPBM seems to “enjoy” conducting research only on Malay study as well as Korean Literature Department conducting research only on Korean study. Hence, it is the time to accomplish collaborative research on cross-cultural study focusing on the correlation between Malay and Korean cultures.” Ahmad said.

The dialogue was ended by exchanging books between Korean Literature Department and BKPBM. There is a hope that there would be an intensive cooperation between those institutions, especially on cross-cultural researches.

(LS/brt/12/06-08)

(NI/ter/10/06-08) 

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