Samarinda, August 8, 2025 – Rector of Universitas Mulawarman, Prof. Dr. Ir. H. Abdurrahman, M.Si., IPU, ASEAN Eng, together with the university’s leadership, warmly welcomed international students of the Sunny University: Mulawarman University Tropical Studies Program in Summer (SUNTROPiS 2025) during a Gala Dinner held at the Rector’s Official Residence on Friday evening, August 8, 2025.
The event, which began at 8:00 p.m. WITA, was attended by 28 senior officials of Universitas Mulawarman, 13 buddies (student companions), and 25 Sunnies (international student participants of SUNTROPiS 2025). Also present were vice rectors, deans from various faculties, bureau heads, lecturers, and organizing committee members who contributed to the success of the program. The Gala Dinner served as a warm and memorable conclusion to the entire series of SUNTROPiS 2025 activities, which had been held since August 2, 2025.
The evening grew even more lively with special performances from two international participants: Abdul Aziz Agbo from Ghana and Mamadou Cellou Diallo from Guinea. Abdul Aziz captivated the audience with a heartfelt and serene Qur’an recitation, while Mamadou delivered an inspiring storytelling performance sharing his experiences throughout his stay in East Kalimantan.
In his remarks, Mamadou expressed his admiration for the SUNTROPiS project and the hospitality of the local community:“I’m amazed about the project and I want to come back to Kalimantan Timur,” he said, receiving warm applause.
The impressions and messages session became one of the most touching moments of the evening. Farah Wiam Saada from Algeria shared that her participation in SUNTROPiS 2025 gave her knowledge, friendship, and a sense of family. “This experience gave me knowledge, new friends, and a second home in Kalimantan Timur,” she said with a warm smile.
Equally memorable was the message from Emad Abdulrahman Abdullah Hasan Mashrah from Yemen, who expressed his heartfelt gratitude. He highlighted how interactions with students, lecturers, and local communities provided him with a new perspective on cross-cultural collaboration and the importance of environmental sustainability. “I feel honored to be part of this program. The warmth and kindness here will stay in my heart forever,” Emad expressed with deep appreciation.
The Gala Dinner served as a symbol of Universitas Mulawarman’s appreciation for the international students who have enriched cultural exchange and global understanding through SUNTROPiS 2025. The spirit of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and respect for diversity will remain a core value that the university strives to uphold in the years to come.
Reporter: Fatia Faradilah Ridha S’tia
