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| Prof. James Peacock who attended the related international conference. (Photo: Istmewah) |
After more than a year of facing a pandemic and undergoing a new normal era, various challenges and opportunities emerged to rebuild all fields. Departing from this, the Graduate University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) held an International Conference with "Under New Normal: Challenges & Opportunities". The event was held online through the Zoom channel and was divided into two sessions, namely on July 10 for the education cluster, followed by a non-education cluster on July 17.
Opening the event, Prof. Dr. Syamsul Arifin, M.Sc., as Deputy Chancellor, explained his analysis related to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to him, this virus has disrupted various aspects of life and even doesn't work correctly. The pandemic has also forced humans to keep their distance in carrying out their activities. "Of course, this pandemic is an abnormal anomaly. This has led to a state of crisis everywhere," he explained.
The Madurese-born lecturer added that education is also an aspect that does not escape the effects of the pandemic attack. The learning system has changed in such away. Must adapt and change education that what previously did offline to be online until now. This is done so that students can still go to school while reducing the transmission rate of Covid-19. "To solve this problem, it is necessary to have a universal or universal approach, both scientific and medical. Coupled with a cultural approach," added Syamsul.
As for the first cluster related to education, this conference presented Dr. Dennis Alonzo from the University of South Wales Australia, Prof. James Peacock from the United States, Dr. Abdul Harris, MA., and Cherry Zin Oo, Ph.D., M.Ed, B.Ed one of the lecturers from Yangon University of Educations Myanmar. Starting the presentation, Dr. Dennis Alonzo studied the pandemic situation that impacted education and required a new system, namely online. According to him, there are various opportunities for institutions and teachers to take advantage of multiple platforms in learning. "Especially for teachers, they must immediately adapt and also immediately implement the new curriculum to get maximum results," he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. James Peacock explained that Indonesia experienced three phases of a crisis. The first was during the PKI movement, namely the phase where there was a crisis of trust and tolerance. The next is the current Covid-19 pandemic crisis which has paralyzed many sectors of life, especially the economy and education. Then the last one is climate change and global warming. The third phase occurs due to the extreme acceleration of climate change. Some of the triggering factors are air pollution, environmental destruction, and industrial waste.
In his presentation, the next speaker, Dr. Abdul Haris, M.A., explained how good management is to work from home and learn from home. If appropriately implemented, it will undoubtedly make it easier to adapt. Meanwhile, Cherry Zin Oo discussed the results of his research in the new normal era. According to him, education at this time needs to attract participants. In addition, there are problems in the aspect of media issues. The opportunities that arise are the openness of individual access to education and character development by taking advantage of time during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, in the second session, the conference presented Asst. Prof. Dr. Donludee Jaisut from Kasertssart University Thailand, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman Raden Aji Haqqi from the University of Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic Brunei Darussalam, Dr. Ir. Rahayu Relawati, M.M., and Dr. Magdalena Sztukiel from Poland. Unlike the previous session, this time, they discussed themes outside of education. They examine how the effects of the pandemic can weaken various aspects of life. Besides that also needs careful preparation to recover from the crisis. (haq/wil)
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