A Cultural Exchange Across Continents: EUC Hosts “Gaining Insights about Slovakia”

On Thursday, 18 June 2026, the European Union Centre (EUC) Universitas Airlangga successfully hosted an Expert Talk entitled “Gaining Insights about Slovakia”, featuring distinguished guests from Slovakia, Assoc. Prof. Jarmila Pekarčíková, Ph.D. and Mgr. Dominika Plančíková, Ph.D., MPH. The event marked a significant milestone for EUC, as it was the Centre’s first-ever visit from representatives of Slovakia, providing a valuable opportunity to strengthen academic and cultural connections between Indonesia and Slovakia.

As both speakers are affiliated with Trnava University, the session began with an introduction to the university, allowing participants to gain a better understanding of the academic institution represented by the guests. Through a presentation and introductory video, attendees learned that Trnava University is one of the oldest universities in Central Europe. Originally established in 1635, the university was later relocated to Buda, Hungary, in 1777 before being re-established in Slovakia in 1992. Today, Trnava University comprises five faculties: the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Philosophy, and Faculty of Health Care and Social Work. Participants also learned that Law and Psychology are among the university’s most competitive study programs.

Following the introduction to Trnava University, Assoc. Prof. Jarmila Pekarčíková, Ph.D. and Mgr. Dominika Plančíková, Ph.D., MPH. led participants into a lively cultural exchange session. Participants were introduced to basic Slovak expressions, while the Slovak guests also learned several Indonesian words and phrases. Through these interactions, attendees gained insight into common names and cultural practices in both countries. The discussion then expanded to various aspects of everyday life in Slovakia. Drawing from their personal experiences, Assoc. Prof. Jarmila Pekarčíková and Mgr. Dominika Plančíková explained that public transportation remains one of the most commonly used modes of transport in the country. They also highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in Slovak society and shared examples of daily habits that support health and well-being.

In return, EUC interns introduced the guests to Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. They shared information about various tourist destinations across the country and discussed the significance of batik as an important element of Indonesian identity. The discussion further explored the historical connections between Indonesia and Europe. One particularly interesting topic was the role of Indonesia’s spice and essential oil trade, which contributed to some of the earliest interactions between Indonesia and European countries. This provided participants with a broader understanding of the long-standing historical ties that have shaped relations between Indonesia and Europe over the centuries.

The event concluded with a photo session and the signing of the EUC Hall of Fame, commemorating this memorable visit. EUC hopes that this engagement will serve as the beginning of stronger academic and cultural cooperation with institutions in Slovakia and looks forward to welcoming future visits and collaborative opportunities in the years ahead.

Written by: Tsabita Fatimah Arif