Educational Mission in Malaysia: Dr. Suhartatik Teaches Indonesian Language to Citizens’ Children

MaduraExpose.com – Language serves as the cornerstone of national identity. This profound sentiment encapsulates the mission led by Dr. Suhartatik, a distinguished academic and the Vice Rector I of Universitas PGRI (UPI) Sumenep, during her recent community service initiative in Malaysia. For a full week, the scholar—affectionately known as Tika—dedicated her expertise to instructing the Indonesian language to children of Indonesian citizens (WNI) residing in the neighboring country.

Preserving National Identity Through Linguistics

For Dr. Suhartatik, this journey to Malaysia transcended mere academic obligation; it was a heartfelt calling. She identified a critical challenge regarding the linguistic identity of the younger generation of Indonesians living abroad.

“These children are descendants of Indonesian citizens who have resided in Malaysia for an extended period. Their daily communication is now heavily influenced by the Malay language, and some even encounter significant difficulties speaking Indonesian fluently,” Dr. Suhartatik explained during an interview on Wednesday (12/17/2025).

To bridge this gap, she employed a humanistic and interactive pedagogical approach. Her teaching methodology included:

• Collaborative Literacy: Reading storybooks together to build vocabulary.

• Interactive Storytelling: Engaging children through oral traditions to spark interest.

• Experiential Learning: Encouraging students to recount personal experiences using proper Indonesian syntax.

Academic Devotion and International Synergy

This week-long initiative is a strategic implementation of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi (the Three Pillars of Higher Education), specifically focusing on community service. Dr. Suhartatik emphasized that this program was made possible through a robust partnership between Universitas PGRI Sumenep, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI), and several partner universities in Malaysia.

“Our presence in Malaysia serves a dual purpose: fulfilling our community service mandate and fostering institutional collaboration. We are working together in the realms of teaching, social devotion, and collaborative research,” added the Vice Rector, who also possesses a professional background in journalism.

An Inspiring Figure in Global Education

Dr. Suhartatik’s dedication in Malaysia further elevates the international profile of Universitas PGRI Sumenep. As Vice Rector I, she exemplifies that a lecturer’s responsibility extends beyond the confines of a traditional classroom; it must yield a tangible impact on the global Indonesian community.

Through this mentorship, it is hoped that Indonesian children in Malaysia will maintain a strong emotional bond and a clear sense of national identity, rooted in the mastery of their mother tongue.***