TIMES SINGAPORE, YOGYAKARTA – Mercu Buana University Yogyakarta (UMBY) continues to strengthen its global outreach through meaningful international collaborations. In a recent initiative, it partnered with Aklan State University Philippines to develop an English-based Nature School located in Dusun Jetis, Sumberejo, Tempel, Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region.

This collaborative community service program is led by Agustinus Hary Setyawan, S.Pd., M.A., a lecturer from UMBY’s English Education Department. Nur Fachmi Budi Setyawan, M.Psi., Psychologist from UMBY’s Psychology Faculty, and Dr. Manuel O. Malonisio from Aklan State University also join the event.

The project aims to strengthen the human resources at the English Nature School, with a special focus on training educational tour guides who can engage international visitors.

“This training is not just about teaching English grammar or vocabulary. It’s about building sociopragmatic competence—teaching guides how to communicate politely, effectively, and in a culturally appropriate way with foreign tourists," Hary on Wednesday (30/7/2025).

A Sustainable, Long-Term Approach

Beyond basic training, the collaboration includes a long-term mentorship program to ensure that what is learned can be continuously applied in real-life settings. Regular evaluations are also embedded into the program to assess progress and make necessary improvements.

“Our ultimate goal is to transform the English Nature School into a self-sustaining, competitive destination for educational tourism—one that delivers real economic and social benefits for the local community,” Hary added.

The first training session was held on Sunday (13/7/2025). It focused on building bilingual communication skills, simulating interactions with tourists, and developing a professional communication guide tailored to the needs of educational tourism.

Global Insights for Local Impact

During a follow-up session on Wednesday (16/7/2025), Dr. Manuel O. Malonisio joined online to share insights on managing world-class educational tourism destinations.

He outlined three core strategies for the Jetis-based Nature School: building a well-structured management system with clear SOPs and organizational frameworks enhancing guide competencies through cross-cultural training, hospitality ethics, and interactive guiding methods.

It also creating unique, consistent educational tourism packages that integrate language learning with local culture.

“Strengthening an educational tourism community requires strategic planning and active international networking. Learning from successful global practices is key to continuous growth and innovation," Dr. Manuel explained

Empowering Communities Through Psychology

On Saturday (26/7/2025), Nur Fachmi Budi Setyawan, M.Psi., led a workshop on community psychology-based organizational development. He emphasized the importance of strengthening community structures as a foundation for sustainable tourism initiatives.

“Community psychology encourages collective awareness, participatory leadership, and routine self-reflection,” Fachmi said. “A strong community is one where every individual feels valued and has a meaningful role in shaping shared goals.”

As part of the broader effort to promote Sleman as a destination for educational tourism, the outcomes of this collaborative initiative held by UMBY and Aklan State University are planned to be published in an international academic journal. The publication will not only showcase the English Nature School model to a global audience but also open doors for further international collaboration in the fields of education and tourism. (*)