The University of Nusa Cendana (Undana) in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, starting from the 2016 academic year is set to open a study program on tenun ikat (handwoven fabric). The program is relatively new for Indonesia and will be offered by the university’s School of Science and Technology as a three-year diploma.

Undana’s assistant rector for academics, David Pandie, said that as it is a vocational study program, will be a combination of science and [practical] skills offered in the program. The transfer of skills will be the larger portion of the program. This year they have started enrolling new students,

David said Undana would cooperate with tenun ikat workshops in Kupang to enable students to practice their skills. It is also expected that Undana students will conduct special research on the development of locally made handwoven textiles in the future.

Once legalized by the Research and Technology and Higher Education Ministry, David said that Undana would introduce the study program to the public, with local administrations as a focal point, to ensure younger generations became interested in learning about traditional textiles.

Undana is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with 23 regencies and municipalities across East Nusa Tenggara, through which the

enrolment of students could be specifically targeted, unlike other programs.

David said that the diversity of woven textiles in East Nusa Tenggara illustrated the geographical differences in the province. Such a diverse collection of East Nusa Tenggara’s traditional woven textiles can become the province’s identity and this study program could become a competitive advantage for Undana.

Bruno Kupok, East Nusa Tenggara administration’s head of trade and industry, said that the study program on woven textiles was the result of cooperation between the provincial administration, the Industry Ministry and Undana.

The province’s woven textiles were rich in both motifs and patterns, so they needed to be preserved and improved, particularly in terms of quality.

They have decided to build a university study program that specially focuses on their woven fabric. They want to make sure their cultural heritage will not disappear and they can work to improve the quality of their woven fabric products so they can compete with other products, said Bruno.

It is expected that through the program, problems affecting the production of handmade textiles could be resolved through science and technology.

To realize the transfer of skills, Undana has recruited lecturers including woven textile practitioners and fabric experts from the Bandung Textile Technology Polytechnic and the Industry Ministry.

The presence of this study program will not affect philosophical values contained in their locally made handwoven textiles. They also want to improve the quality of woven textiles from East Nusa Tenggara, for example related to the thickness and coloring process of the textiles, which can affect their quality. These problems can be resolved with technology.

Students of the new diploma would be recruited based on cooperation between the provincial, regency and municipal administrations..