From July 1 to 15, 2025, Jakarta International University (JIU) participated in the ACUCA Faculty Exchange Program, represented by the Head of the Visual Communication Design (VCD) Program. Hosted by Handong Global University (HGU) in South Korea, the program offered a remarkable blend of academic enrichment, cultural exchange, and faith-based collaboration. This initiative served as a powerful platform to explore how Christian values can meaningfully shape the future of modern education, particularly in design and creative disciplines.
Throughout the program, activities included curriculum benchmarking, guest lectures, and collaborative discussions with faculty members from HGU’s School of Contents Convergence Design. Meaningful dialogue with Professors Chansong Park and Joongsup Lee shed light on how design education at HGU emphasizes not only creative excellence but also moral and spiritual integrity. Observations of team-based and faith-integrated learning revealed how education rooted in a biblical worldview can effectively shape both character and competence in students.
The cultural aspect of the program added significant depth to the overall experience. Visits to historical sites such as Gyeongju and participation in worship services at Pohang Cheil Presbyterian Church highlighted the strong presence of community and spiritual discipline in Korean culture. Despite common challenges associated with adapting to a foreign environment, such as language barriers and differing daily routines, the hospitality of HGU’s staff and students made the transition remarkably smooth. The support of the university’s International Affairs Office, coordinated by Professor Kee-Seon Yoo, played a key role in ensuring both comfort and connection throughout the stay.
A defining insight gained from this exchange was the holistic way in which Christian values are integrated into every layer of academic life at HGU. From the structure of their Residential College system to the ethos of student-led projects, faith is not positioned as an addition to learning, but as its foundation. This model affirms that excellence in education is fully compatible with a Christ-centered approach. In the realm of visual communication design, this translates into nurturing students who use their creative talents not only for visual impact, but for redemptive influence, engaging issues of justice, truth, and human dignity through their work.
The program not only established lasting academic networks but also inspired deeper reflection on the role of Christian education in today’s rapidly changing world. The warmth of interfaculty friendships, the exposure to diverse learning cultures, and the vivid example of faith in practice at HGU made this exchange a deeply transformative encounter.
For faculty members considering the ACUCA Faculty Exchange Program, this initiative comes highly recommended. It offers a rare opportunity to explore interdisciplinary teaching, cultural sensitivity, and spiritual leadership; three pillars that will increasingly define the future of Christian higher education in Asia.
Author:
Dr. Andreas James Darmawan, S.Sn., M.Sn., ACP., CDM.
