Starfruit, (malangkota.go.id) – Malang State Polytechnic (Polinema) in collaboration with Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) handed over aid to foreign students at the Atria Hotel, Monday (5/4/2021). This aid is a form of concern from the Polinema campus for foreign students affected by Covid-19 in the country.
Director of Malang State Polytechnic (Polinema), Drs. Awan Setiawan, MMT., MM revealed that there are currently 48 foreign students from various countries at Polinema. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced foreign students to remain in Indonesia. Meanwhile, those who have returned to their countries have difficulty returning to Indonesia. "Of the 48 foreign students, only 24 students were able to attend this activity," explained Awan Setiawan.
This activity was deliberately held as a form of Polinema's attention to foreign students due to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The reason is that since Covid-19 came a year ago, many difficulties have been faced by the community, including foreign students studying at Polinema.
"Of the 48 foreign students at Polinema, currently two foreign students have dropped out (DO) because they were unable to adjust to the education system at Polinema. Currently, foreign students also face many challenges to be able to continue their studies," he said.
For foreign students who are returning to their countries, they are currently unable to return to Indonesia due to health and quarantine issues. Students in Malang are also constrained from returning home because conditions are still not possible. "Until now, our students from abroad who started their studies in 2020 are still not allowed to come to Indonesia or to Malang," he said.
This situation becomes a difficulty in itself when following learning, including online learning. Because the internet connection for some students who are abroad is limited. In addition, because the time difference is quite long, it makes students unable to follow online classes.
"When the lesson is held at 07.00 WIB, students from Africa, for example, have difficulty following because the difference is four hours compared to Malang," he continued.
Not only that, on this occasion, Awan also said that there were 12 foreign students from Polinema who were preparing themselves to carry out field work practices (PKL). However, due to the pandemic, until now it is still difficult to find a place for PKL. (cah/ram)
