International Collaboration: UC and UTM Hold “Uniting Colours in Creativity and Heritage” Program in Surabaya
February 22, 2025
Surabaya, eNews – Ciputra University (UC) has initiated the “Uniting Colours in Creativity and Heritage” program in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The program will run from February 16 to 22, 2025, and one of the activities will be the creation of a mural themed on the history of Surabaya’s past.
Gelar Nanggala Wahyu Sagara Putra, S.Hum., M.Han., Vice Head of International Relations at Ciputra University, explained that no less than 20 UTM students from various departments, accompanied by four lecturers, participated in this activity.
“We are collaborating with the UC Visual Communication (VCD) Study Program, with lecturers, educational staff, and students actively involved in the mural creation,” explained Gelar, Saturday (2/22/2025).
The mural’s theme is “The History of Surabaya’s People in the Past.” “The theme was chosen as the result of coordination between UC, the Surabaya City Culture, Sports, and Tourism Office, and other relevant parties to support the revitalisation program for the Surabaya Old Town area. The mural was chosen on Jalan Mliwis, which is within walking distance of the Old Town area and has a high visitor count. With this mural, it is hoped that it will create a new tourist attraction that can be enjoyed by both Surabaya residents and tourists,” Gelar explained.
“This program aims to strengthen international cooperation, particularly in non-academic fields, highlighting creativity, cultural exchange, and the involvement of students from across the country. Furthermore, this program also demonstrates UC’s support for the Surabaya City Government’s efforts to revitalise the Old Town area as a new tourist destination.” “As part of the agenda, UTM students will also be invited to visit the Tunjungan National Furniture Department to promote local MSME products,” he added.
Pandu Rukmi Utomo, S.Ds., M.Ds., a VCD lecturer and mural conceptor, explained that the mural, featuring objects such as horse carts, clover vendors, lontong balap vendors, canngkrukan (a traditional Javanese food) and clover icons, will take approximately three days, with a work duration of six hours per day.
“The mural will be created on a 7.5 x 3 meter surface, involving creative collaboration between UC and UTM students. Furthermore, participants will be given the opportunity to explore Surabaya during a sightseeing session as part of the cultural experience.
We’ll invite our UTM friends to enjoy Surabaya culinary delights such as lontong balap, clover, and sinom,” Pandu explained.
Shym Pei Xun, a UTM Mechanical Engineering student, said, “It’s amazing, because I’ve never done a mural or painted anything before.” I enjoyed being taught by my friends and mentors from VCD. I’m proud to be able to create a work on Surabaya’s iconic landmark. The challenge was being blocked by traffic because it’s a public road, but it wasn’t really a problem.”
Thayabharam, a UTM petroleum engineering student, expressed his happiness at meeting friends from Indonesia and being able to work on the mural together. They enjoyed unique culinary delights not found in Malaysia, such as meatball soup, ginger and rice jamu (traditional Indonesian drink), orange juice, and other Indonesian snacks.
Cleo, a student at Ciputra University, expressed her joy at participating in the program. “Working on this mural was very memorable and unforgettable. I was happy to see the enthusiasm of my friends from UTM, despite the hot weather. I’m grateful to be able to participate in this program because it broadened my understanding of cultural differences and strengthened my friendships with my friends from both UC and UTM,” Cleo explained.
Gelar expressed his hope, “We hope this activity can serve as a means of cultural diplomacy that strengthens the good relationship between UC and UTM, as well as Indonesia and Malaysia as friendly neighbours.” “Furthermore, we also hope that the people of Surabaya will preserve and protect this mural so that it can be enjoyed for a long time.”
Pandu hopes this activity will broaden students’ horizons and contribute to the development of their character. “We want to participate in developing future designers without abandoning cultural values and identity,” he said.