Revitalization of the ULM Language Education Unit (UPA Bahasa ULM): Preparing Competent and Globally Competitive Human Resources

Banjarmasin — The Academic Support Unit (UPA) of Language at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Revitalization of the ULM Language Education Unit Syllabus and Learning Materials Towards Global Standards and the Development of Adaptive and Comprehensive Teaching Materials,” at the ULM General Building in Banjarmasin on Tuesday (February 10, 2026).

This activity is part of ULM’s strategic steps to strengthen the language competency of its academic community while increasing the competitiveness of graduates at the national and international levels.

The FGD was attended by ULM Language Education Unit teachers, including lecturers from within the university, as well as lecturers and language practitioners from outside ULM. This cross-institutional collaboration ensures that the curriculum and teaching materials developed are relevant to global standards and the needs of language users in the era of globalization.

In his remarks, the Head of ULM Language Education Unit, Dr. Noor Eka Chandra, M.Pd., emphasized that this FGD represents a shared commitment to improving the quality of language education at Lambung Mangkurat University.

“The world has changed rapidly, geographical boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred, and language is the key to bridging these boundaries. UPA Bahasa continues to strive to be a strong bridge so that ULM graduates can compete on the international stage,” he said.

He added that this activity aims to revitalize the curriculum and learning materials to align with international standards, while also integrating learning technology into UPA Bahasa programs.

“We hope to generate fresh ideas, constructive criticism, and material formulations that are not only theoretically sound but also practically adaptive,” he added.

As part of strengthening academic services, UPA Bahasa ULM plans various language class programs in 2026, including TOEFL and IELTS for lecturers, TOEFL and TOEIC for students, Speaking for Academic Purposes, Speaking for Daily Communication, Academic Writing, Korean, and a new Arabic class. These programs are designed not only for ULM academics but are also open to the general public.

The Academic Writing program and Arabic language classes are new programs from the ULM Language and Language Education Unit. Through the Academic Writing program, students will be taught how to write academic papers or essays in English. The Arabic language classes are designed to equip students with the knowledge and understanding of Arabic.

“This new program aims to increase the competitiveness of ULM students, both in international competition and in obtaining international scholarships,” said Dr. Chandra.

Through this focus group discussion (FGD), Lambung Mangkurat University emphasized its role in encouraging the transformation of language learning to be adaptive, comprehensive, and meet global standards, while strengthening the institution’s contribution to preparing competent and globally competitive human resources.