KUPANG – Nusa Cendana University (Undana) once again organized the third National Student Art Week (PSMN) with the theme: "Creating for Indonesia's Progress." The event was attended by 457 students from 19 State Universities (PTN) and Private Universities (PTS) in Indonesia. Hundreds of students enlivened the PSMN by participating in 11 competitions during the event held from November 2-6, 2023.
Undana Rector, Prof. Dr. drh. Maxs U. E. Sanam, M.Sc, highly appreciates the event that brought together hundreds of students. According to him, the arts are essential, not just as an addition to the life of the academic community. Moreover, Prof. Maxs Sanam said, currently, the health of the global community is facing issues.
"A while ago, when I met some education figures/professors in Yogyakarta, they were very concerned about the increasing trend of depression and suicide cases among students," he said when opening PSMN III in the Theater Room of the Undana Rectorate on Thursday, November 2, 2023.
Through the PSMN event, he hopes to foster the creativity, imagination, and freedom of expression of students. "We also hope that Undana graduates not only graduate with high GPAs but must graduate in a happy and joyful state," he added.
Prof. Maxs Sanam stated that Undana is currently improving to enhance the quality of its services. Thus, Undana graduates will not only be intelligent but also creative and humane.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PSMN II Undana Committee, Abdi Keraf, S.Psi, M.Psi., Psychologist, explained that the event was held to develop the interests and talents of students in the field of arts.
"This event can be used to create opportunities for students to showcase their quality and abilities in the fields of vocal arts, performances, literature, and visual arts," he said.
Furthermore, this activity can foster a sense of unity, cooperation, and brotherhood among students from various universities in Indonesia, especially in the city of Kupang.
He explained that there were a total of 11 competition categories participated by the participants, including 5 national competitions, conducted online, namely poster design, photography (color), comic strips, poetry writing, and short story writing; then 4 local competitions in NTT, including painting, poetry reading, solo singing, and monologue, as well as 2 local competitions at the city level in Kupang, namely creative dance and choir, held offline.
For your information, the 19 universities participating in the third PSMN at Undana include: Undana, Muhammadiyah University Kupang, Widya Mandira Catholic University Kupang, Artha Wacana Christian University Kupang, Citra Bangsa University Kupang, Kupang Agricultural Polytechnic, Kupang Polytechnic, Kupang Health Polytechnic, Uyelindo Kupang Polytechnic, Stiksam Unika Ruteng, Tribuana Kalabahi University, Defense University, Samarinda Health College, Ciputra University Makassar, Muhammadiyah University North Sumatra, Pamulang University Banten, Siliwangi University Tasikmalaya, Syiah Kuala University, and IPDN. (rfl)
