PIC Gathering 2024

PIC Gathering 2024 was held at Santika Hotel Mataram, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara on August 7-8, 2024. The two-day activity was attended by Person In Charge (PICs) from all VDMI partners. This opportunity is very valuable to strengthen the family relationship between VDMS, VDMI, University and PICs. The theme “Togetherness in Supporting Each Other” – was chosen, which is that we need to be hand in hand, as shown at the end of the last Gathering in Bali 2022, ended with the words “If We Hold On Together”. so we did not just now only, but also in the next.

The Welcoming Dinner was held to get to know each other between PICs including new ones. Starting with explaining about Van Deventer-Maas briefly to remind about Betsy Maas, mission and vision of VDMS/YVDMI by Parche Manoto (Executive Director of YVDMI). Next is an explanation of the two-day activities (outbound and meeting). The first day began with outbound activities for participants to be closed and get to know each other better. Participants were divided into four groups. The “Amazing Race” 3 Gili (Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan) program emphasized on togetherness, passion, planning, creativity, accuracy, problem solving, leadership, trust, communication, commitment, competency and coordination through several challenges. Prof. Irfan Dwidya Prijambada (YVDMI Board) took the time to attend and share with PICs in the midst of a busy meeting with the governor of West Nusa Tenggara about local community development and making West Nusa Tenggara “green” like Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta.

The second day was an important activity in the series of PIC Gathering 2024. Discussion on Scholarship Administration System (SAS), Online Registration System (ORS), Student Monitoring System (SMS) and several issues faced by VDMI (related to information and regulations on education in Indonesia and programs from universities that can be a reference for VDMI in making policies and capacity building programs). SAS and ORS were delivered by Alip Yuli Susanto to remind PICs (including information for new PICs). In addition, PICs also shared about ORS 2024/2025, EXAM and TOEFL Bonus and Double Funding (a system owned by the university to overcome the Double Funding Scholarship). Continued with SMS delivered by Imbung Nurwanto and then every problem faced by grantees (English, Time, Tools, Family and Food) was given a solution by PICs in groups.

To increase awareness for PICs both in relations with themselves and others, VDMI provided refreshment with the topic “Mindfulness” by Marsen Sinaga. Mindfulness is needed as a way to get to know yourself more deeply, love yourself and take time to talk to yourself. PICs sat and did mindfulness by focusing on their respective bodies. After that, PICs formed small groups to share what they felt when doing mindfulness. Hopefully this activity will make PICs more aware of their life goals and what they will achieve, pay attention to others and be active with grantees.

At the end of the meeting, The Best PIC 2024 was announced. The Best PIC assessment was carried out with several criteria: [1] Information distribution to Students who need grant support, [2] Effectively Communication to Grantees, VDMI and the University, [3] Document and Agreement Submissions, [4] Involvement with Alumni Activities and [5] Creativity during VDMI Event. The announcement was made with a performance of Traditional Mataram Dance, Lombok (Sasak Dance). The Best PIC 2024: Ir. Maria Lobo, M.Maths. Sc, Ph.D (Nusa Cendana University), 2nd Best PIC 2024: Karmila, S.Pd., M.Pd (Cokroaminoto University of Palopo), 3rd Best PIC 2024: Yulianti Taib, S.Pd (Gorontalo State University) and the Favorite PIC 2024: Yonathan Talundima, SE (Wira Wacana Christian University). The activity ended with a Farewell Dinner and the announcement of the outbound group winner, Team “Menyala”. Thank you to the PICs who have given their best for Grantees and hope that the family atmosphere will be maintained. See you at the next Gathering.