Picked up at 9am and headed off to Ismail's ostensible place of work - Sekolah Tinggi Agama Institut Negeri (State Islamic Institute). Four years ago, Ismail and a group of other lecturers from the Islamic education system received a scholarship to study for one year in Australia, either at ANU or University of Melbourne. The program was sponsored by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and
Departeman Agama. Which is where I come in, as I was approached to arrange and teach on an introductory academic program for the incoming lecturers.
About 4000 students attend STAIN, and it has six departments. Today I would be meeting various vice-rectors, deans, and staff. Before arriving, Ismail mentioned that because he'd been spending less time on campus due to study commitments in Jakarta he had no control over the meetings that had been or, as it turned out, had not been arranged.
After two hours chatting with staff, learng how the institute fulfils local needs and focuses on Islamic character building, had a tour of the campus. Invited into see a English class. Held in a room that adjoined an open-air class. 18 students bewildered by the unannounced presence of
bule. Difficult to hear the teacher, as the class next door was chanting in Arabic. Requested by various staff to do a guest lecture; explained that my schedule was out of my hands. Politely declined to mention that this visit had been organised months ago. Frustrated, though, at the ad hocness of the day.
"I'll take a photo of you in front of the building," said Ismail. I was going to have to get used to this.
About 4000 students attend STAIN, and it has six departments. Today I would be meeting various vice-rectors, deans, and staff. Before arriving, Ismail mentioned that because he'd been spending less time on campus due to study commitments in Jakarta he had no control over the meetings that had been or, as it turned out, had not been arranged.
After two hours chatting with staff, learng how the institute fulfils local needs and focuses on Islamic character building, had a tour of the campus. Invited into see a English class. Held in a room that adjoined an open-air class. 18 students bewildered by the unannounced presence of bule. Difficult to hear the teacher, as the class next door was chanting in Arabic. Requested by various staff to do a guest lecture; explained that my schedule was out of my hands. Politely declined to mention that this visit had been organised months ago. Frustrated, though, at the ad hocness of the day.
"I'll take a photo of you in front of the building," said Ismail. I was going to have to get used to this.
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