Garut – Indonesian Institute of Education – International Sharing Session on Literature, Education and Research Network (I-LEARN) serves as an academic forum organized as part of the initiation of international collaboration between Institut Pendidikan Indonesia (IPI) Garut and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), JepangThis forum, held on Monday, June 30, 2025, served as a platform for dialogue and the exchange of perspectives between countries, focusing on the study of literary and cultural values in novels from Indonesia and Japan. In addition to providing a space for sharing academic insights, the activity also marked the initial step in exploring institutional collaboration, particularly in the fields of literacy, culture, and educational research. The participating IPI Garut students included Roro Tri Nur H. (Teacher Professional Education Program – PPG), Salma Patimah (Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia – FPISBS), Mustofa Husni S. (Information Technology Education Program – FITS), and Mukti Haryadi (Master’s Program in Indonesian Language and Literature Education – S2). Meanwhile, four students from TUFS, Japan, also participated actively in the discussion sessions. The activity was officially opened by Rector IPI Garut, Prof. Dr. Nizar Alam Hamdani, M.M., M.T., M.Si., M.Komand was attended by faculty members and students from both institutions. I-LEARN serves as a tangible representation of IPI Garut’s commitment to promoting the internationalization of higher education through academic collaboration grounded in cultural and literary literacy.
The I-LEARN program provides significant benefits for students in developing global competencies, cultural literacy, and intercultural sensitivity. Through cross-national discussions, students have the opportunity to explore the meanings and values contained in the literary works of each nation, as well as understand the social and cultural contexts behind them. In addition to broadening academic perspectives, the forum encourages students to enhance their academic communication skills in an international context, strengthen networks, and foster mutual understanding across cultures. From an institutional perspective, this activity also contributes to the achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), particularly in the areas of international collaboration and student participation in global academic forums.
The activity was evaluated through the collection of participant feedback regarding the discussion content, academic benefits, and reflective processes on understanding literature as a cultural bridge. The evaluation results indicated high enthusiasm and satisfaction among participants with the quality of idea exchange. Several suggestions were made to broaden discussion topics to include other literary genres and to increase the intensity of interaction in future sessions. As a follow-up, the study program will initiate a periodic international literature study forum and expand student involvement in similar activities. IPI Garut is committed to continuously strengthening the role of students in cultural diplomacy and global literacy through the development of cross-national academic collaborations.
