Yogyakarta, March 30, 2026 — The English Language Education Study Program of Sanata Dharma University (USD) held a preparatory meeting for the upcoming academic visit of Lydia Catedral Hwa-Che Medill on Monday evening (March 30), from 19:00 to 20:00 WIB. This meeting marked an initial step in designing a meaningful direction for academic collaboration, both for undergraduate and graduate students.

The meeting was attended by the management of the Undergraduate Program, namely Carla Sih Prabandari and Priyatno Ardi, as well as a representative from the Master’s Program in English Language Education (MPBI), Markus Budiraharjo. Several MPBI students were also present, including Chelvino Dimas Hardita, Ira Savitri, Clara, and Andrea Rinjani, along with an undergraduate student representative, Eny.

The discussion focused on identifying the most relevant topics to be addressed during Prof. Lydia’s visit. A key concern was how to bridge linguistic studies with students’ actual needs and current social contexts.

 

Carla Sih Prabandari emphasized that code-switching and code-mixing are already well-established areas and remain highly feasible for further development in undergraduate research. However, she also highlighted the importance of expanding these areas to maintain their relevance in contemporary linguistic dynamics.

 

Responding to this, Markus Budiraharjo proposed that the discussion should also incorporate a more pedagogically oriented approach, particularly the concept of translanguaging, which is increasingly significant in the context of inclusive and multilingual language learning.

 

Prof. Lydia welcomed this suggestion and affirmed that there is a strong criss-crossing among these approaches, opening up opportunities for more integrative explorations within sociolinguistic studies.

 

Beyond linguistic topics, the meeting also explored the possibility of developing research collaborations grounded in social issues. Prof. Lydia proposed several themes, including:

The discussion then converged on a more concrete initiative through the idea of MICROLAB (Migrants Communication and Organizing Lab), a collaborative space that integrates research, advocacy, and community-based learning.

 

In her explanation, Prof. Lydia described MICROLAB as a platform engaging migrant workers from various countries, particularly in Hong Kong, in activities such as artistic production, sociolinguistic research, and case work practices. This approach emphasizes the value of grassroots learning and positions the university as a meaningful space for social engagement.

 

The discussion also underscored the strong connection between Jesuit education and social justice issues. MICROLAB is seen as a concrete manifestation of how these values can be enacted through collaboration among academics, students, and communities.

 

As a closing note, the meeting addressed a broader issue: the challenges of the global job market. In the context of Indonesia’s economic uncertainties and demographic trends in countries such as Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, an important question emerged: how do Indonesian youth perceive their future in the global job market?

 

This topic is considered a potential entry point for broader discussions on globalization and its impact on career choices and transnational mobility.

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Prof. Lydia Catedral’s visit is expected not only to serve as an academic exchange but also as a momentum to broaden students’ intellectual horizons—connecting linguistic inquiry with social realities and fostering sensitivity toward increasingly complex global issues.