Global Research Outreach Programme is activities where students are encourage organizing a programme which combines cooperation and student exchange with overseas university. For this programme under Department of Architecture, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia had cooperated with Universiti Gadjah Mada where the activities were seminar workshop and competition on designing monument for Jogjakarta.
Knowledge on observation and history of architecture already suggested through this subject and also can help students to widen their knowledge about architecture history. The programme being held in 7 days at Jogjakarta participated by 16 students and various inputs obtained throughout this programme. Below are the activities participated by students during 7 days in Jogjakarta:
- 6 August 2009
After gathered at Faculty of Built Environment bus stop around 6 o’clock in the morning, we set off to Changi Airport Singapore using the Second Link Highway. The flight to Jogjakarta departs in 10 o’clock in the morning Malaysia time. The flight takes about 2 hours headed to Jogjakarta. Our arriving at the Adisucipto Airport Jogjakarta was welcomed by the tourist guide who provided transportation for us to the Metro Guest House Jalan Prawirataman that has been booked earlier. After we checked in, we took short break and continued our activities which called ‘towm trail’ the Jogjakarta by trishaw or called as ‘sepedar’ by the locals. The town trails takes along the nearby area in the vicinity of Metro Guest House.
- 7 August 2009
Our expedition continues as early as 7 o’clock in the morning to Malioboro Street. Many types of goodies such as souvenir and antique items can be found along the street. All this goods resemble the Jogjakarta craftsmanship. Next destination is Kraton or palace. We were guided by the person in charge who told us about the history and the philosophy of Kraton itself. After visiting the Kraton, we continue our journey to Pasar Burung Ngasem and Taman Sari.
- 8 August 2009
On 8 of august, we travelled along the Jogjakarta by visiting the ancient monuments that has been built decades ago. We visited Borobudur which is the largest Buddha’s Monument (candi) in the world that accounts either from Seven Wonders of the World. It is located approximately 42 kilometres next to West Sea of Jogjakarta City. This monument was developed in the eighth century by the hard work and sweat of the Cailendra’s people at that time. Then we visited Prambanan Monument, located around 17 kilometres over Jogja Solo (Janti quaternary to East). The scenery of this monument has been enhancing with the high light radiance in the night. This Hindu’s Monument has been developed by the Sanjaya Dynasty in the ninth century. The monument comprise on 3 complexes. The main monument located at the inner complex and surrounded by small monuments known as Perwara Monument.
Some of the monuments were contributed by the district leader as upeti to the King. In the evening we got the opportunity to indulge sunset in Ratu Boko located at the height of 195,57 metres from sea levels with the area of 250 metres square. From here we can see the naturalist painting scenery where the Merapi Mountain always produced smokes.
The beautiful scenery also included from the southward head. The hills panorama crowded with monument color; Banyunibo Monument, Barong Monument, Ijo Monument etc. Then by night we have the chance to watch Ramayana ballet that tells an epic story of Ramayana.
- 9 August 2009
The first place that we visited on this day was Sukoh Monument located at the highland of Jogjakarta. We went there by motorcycles. Then we went to Klewer Market where many retails or hawker stall that sell handicrafts, batik and also local foods.
- 10 August 2009
The collaboration with Universiti Gadjah Mada started on this day. The seminar workshop opens with the lecturer by Dr. Abdullah Sani bin Hj Ahmad and the Head of Architecture and Planning Department both on design principle and monument design. After that we went to the site, where the monument located. Then we were given the time for discussion till evening right after the site visit.
- 11 August 2009
The next day in Universiti Gadjah Mada we were still doing our monument project. The monument project was presented on 2 pieces of A1 size paper. The presentation held in the afternoon and the marking session were straight away given by the panels. Our visit to the Universiti Gadjah Mada ends with the prize giving ceremony and dinner session.
- 12 August 2009
We gathered about 4 o’clock in the morning during our last day in Jogjakarta. We were aided by the hotel staffs for the transportation to go to the Adisucipto Airport. We set off to the Changi Airport Singapore in 7.30 in the morning. We arrived at Changi Airport Singapore after 2 hours of travel. We continue to move up to the bus that had been prepared by the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to our main campus at Skudai. We safely reached the campus at 2 o’clock in the evening.