Social care is one of the main pillars that students of Swiss German University are taught about. It is a responsibility that all students are encouraged to carry. This is evident in the work carried out by the Swiss German University Brand Champions for 2024. 

As seen across the globe, change starts with students. Hence, students should also be encouraged to contribute to communities. This was the main principle implemented when two of the university’s brand champions visited elementary and middle school students at RT 003, Tangerang District, to educate the children on the Buddhist festival, Vesak. 

Vesak is a celebration close to the hearts of millions of Buddhists worldwide. On this day, almost two millennia ago, Buddha was born and later enlightened on the same day, the next few years to come. His presence continues to illuminate the lives of people across the globe.

Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country, with 70% of the population practicing Buddhism. Hence, Vesak is a public holiday that not just the Buddhists celebrate but also the Muslims, Tamils, and Christians. The streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, are decorated with vast varieties of Vesak lanterns, allowing people to express themselves through this simple art. Vesak lanterns symbolize Sri Lanka’s love for Buddhism and represent the illumination that Buddha’s teachings brought to people. It is believed that lighting up lanterns brings prosperity while also signifying the enlightenment and wisdom of Buddha.

Haajarah, a Pharmaceutical Chemical Engineering Student Batch 2022 and Brand Champion of Swiss German University, taught students how to make Vesak lanterns using household items like bamboo sticks and tissue paper only. Bamboo sticks are first tied together using yarn to create a square. This is repeated until six squares are achieved before finally tying them to look like an octagon. The tissue papers are stuck to the bamboo skeleton using a homemade concoction of water and flour, known as පාප්ප (Paappa, a traditional glue).  The craft is allowed to dry; thereafter, it is tied over a lightbulb that casts the light in a shade similar to the tissue paper used.  

An individual’s unique craft expresses their attachment to the celebration. Through a simple craft like Vesak lanterns, children learn not only about the importance of multiculturalism but also about how to express their passion for it. 

Contributor: SGU Brand Champion 2023-2024
Noor Haajarah Rahman – Pharmaceutical Chemical Engineering 2022

SWISS GERMAN UNIVERSITY (SGU) is an international university in Indonesia, was established in 2000 as a joint effort between Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. We are the pioneer in offering international curricula in Indonesia. Qualified students can graduate with a Double Degree from Indonesia and Germany, which SGU provides in cooperation with partner universities; surely a valuable tool for your future careers. Ever since its establishment, SGU has been dedicated to delivering quality education in line with international standards and aims to develop skilled professionals who meet the demands of the industry. In order to achieve its objectives, SGU offers quality-oriented learning through 16 Bachelor’s Degree Programs and 6 Master’s Degree Programs ranging from Engineering, Information Technology, and Business to Life Sciences and Social Sciences. Furthermore, with small class sizes, and with English as the medium of instruction, you can look forward to pursuing your tertiary education and degree with full confidence.