Tourism Master Program (MKP) of the Graduate School,
Gadjah Mada University, organized a student discussion on Monday (20/05) in Room MKP 406, Unit 1 Building of the Graduate School UGM. The discussion title was “Cross-Cultural Understanding,” focused on the culture and tourism of Indonesia and Azerbaijan, as well as intercultural understanding within the Indonesian local
culture. The event was attended by Dr. rer. Pol. Dyah Widyastuti, S.T., M.C.P., as the chief of the Tourism Master Program of the Graduate School UGM, and was attended by more than 40 students from the MKP class of 2022 and 2023.
Asya Mammadli, an international student from the MKP class of 2022 and a citizen of Azerbaijan, was a speaker at the discussion. Asya presented general information about Azerbaijan, including its geographical conditions, economic status, socio-cultural conditions, and the evolving tourism industry.
According to Asya, Indonesia and Azerbaijan share many similarities in terms of socio-cultural aspects. Azerbaijan also has a rich cultural heritage that has been preserved over time. Among Azerbaijan’s enduring cultural aspects are its music, dances, and carpet weaving, known as Azerbaijani carpets. Azerbaijani carpets feature numerous designs that convey cultural stories and histories passed down through generations, serving as valuable family assets.
Asya mentioned that, similar to th
e Indonesian custom of enjoying tea, in Azerbaijan, tea drinking is not just a beverage but also symbolizes social customs of hospitality and friendship. Regarding tourism, Asya recommended four destinations to visit in Azerbaijan: Gabala City, Ganja City, Lankaran City, and Baku City.
In her speech, Dr. Dyah expressed that such discussions serve as platforms for the exchange of ideas and experiences between Indonesia and Azerbaijan. “By gaining a deeper understanding of Azerbaijani culture and tourism potential directly from our friends from there, we hope that the relationship between these two nations can grow even stronger in the future,” Dyah said. The relationship between the two countri
es is aimed at supporting the achievement of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
After listening to Asya’s presentation, several students shared their responses to Azerbaijan and compared its culture with that of Indonesia. The presence of students from both countries provided diverse and intriguing perspectives in this discussion. The discussion concluded with a group photo, and Asya presented some typical Azerbaijani souvenirs as well as a book.
Author: Asti Rahmaningrum
Data Source: Mery Khristanti