MATARAM — Four students from the Cultural and Religious Tourism Study Program Institut Agama Hindu Negeri Gde Pudja Mataram officially reported the completion of their one-year professional internship in Japan during a formal reception hosted by university leadership on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The returning cohort—I Gusti Bagus Wira Putra, I Wayan Wirya Pradnya, Ni Made Pursita Nadwiani, and Nyoman Efendi—were stationed across premier hotel and hospitality establishments in the prefectures of Okinawa and Nagano. Accompanied by Head of Study Program, Ni Putu Sasmika Dewi, S.S., M.Si., the students formally delivered their final internship reports and declared their readiness to resume academic coursework. University executives present at the reception included Rector of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, Vice Rector I, and Dean of the Faculty of Dharma Duta, Brahma Widya, and Dharma Sastra.
Rector of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Wirata, A.Ma., S.E., M.Si., M.Pd., commended the students for their perseverance and for serving as exemplary ambassadors of the university abroad. He emphasized the strategic value of their experience, urging the returnees to actively share insights with junior cohorts to build a sustainable pipeline for future international placements. Vice Rector I, Dr. Joko Prayitno, S.Ag., S.T., M.Pd.H., formally welcomed the students back to campus, encouraging them to apply their newly acquired competencies to their remaining degree requirements. Dean faculty, Dr. I Putu Somiartha, S.E., M.Si., expressed pride in the cohort’s performance, noting that successful international placements underscore the competitiveness of the university’s academic training.
Speaking on behalf of the group, a student representative expressed gratitude to the university administration and faculty for their continuous support. The representative highlighted that the year-long placement provided invaluable industry exposure, particularly in mastering professional Japanese hospitality standards, operational discipline, and interpersonal etiquette. The program was executed under an ongoing institutional partnership between IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram and the Go Gakko Language Education Foundation (Yayasan Lembaga Pendidikan Bahasa Go Gakko). Moving forward, the university plans to strengthen its international ties, expanding global cross-cultural training opportunities to further enhance graduate employability.
(by: DKS)
