Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Faculty of Art and Design of Makassar State University (UNM) paid a working visit to the Department of Ethnomusicology, Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta. The visit which took place from 13.00 to 15.00 WIB aims to conduct a comparative study related to curriculum, teaching methods, and learning support facilities in order to prepare for the opening of a new Ethnomusicology study program at UNM.
Discussion on Curriculum and Teaching Methods was the main agenda of this visit. In the intensive discussion, the participants shared their experiences regarding the implementation of a research-based curriculum and teaching traditional music. The Ethnomusicology Department of ISI Yogyakarta explained how they combine theory and practice in exploring traditional Indonesian music as well as an interdisciplinary approach that connects cultural, social and historical aspects.
Not only stopping at theory, the UNM Faculty of Art and Design group also conducted a comparative study related to the facilities and infrastructure that support learning at ISI Yogyakarta. The participants were invited to visit classrooms, music studios, and ethnomusicology laboratories, which are the center of practicum activities and student research. These facilities are considered important to support the in-depth learning process for students pursuing this discipline.
On this occasion, lecturers from the Faculty of Art and Design UNM also had the opportunity to play an instrument available in the Sulawesi Music practice studio, namely Kolintang. Several lecturers from UNM participated in playing traditional musical instruments that are part of the teaching at ISI Yogyakarta. This moment was even more special, given the traditional art collaboration that exists directly between the two institutions.
The working visit was led by Dr. Andi Ihsan, M.Pd., along with a number of lecturers from UNM's Faculty of Art and Design, including Dr. Sukarman B, M.Sn., Dr. Pangerang Paita Yunus, M.Sn., Dr. Hj Heriyati Yatim, M.Pd., Khaeruddin, S.Sn., M.Sn., Dr. Syakhruni, M.Sn., Mulyadi, and St. Khadija Abbas. On the occasion, Dr. Andi Ihsan expressed his hope that the results of this visit can be an important reference in designing new study programs at UNM that focus on the development of traditional arts and ethnomusicology.
“This is a very valuable opportunity for us to broaden our horizons and share experiences related to curriculum development and traditional arts teaching. We hope to implement the things we learn here in the study program that we will open,” said Dr. Andi Ihsan.
The visit ended with an informal discussion between lecturers from UNM and ISI Yogyakarta. Both parties expressed readiness to share knowledge, as well as establish further cooperation in the form of academic exchanges, workshops, and research collaborations in the field of arts and culture.
With this visit, it is hoped that a closer relationship can be established between Makassar State University and the Indonesian Institute of Arts Yogyakarta, and become an early milestone in the development of new study programs that will enrich the treasures of art education at UNM.
