Through Walking Gallery Exhibition, UMKT Students Discovered English Tenses Practices

umkt.ac.id, Samarinda – Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT) hosted an innovative exhibition titled "Walking Gallery Exhibition: Exploring English Tenses Through Life" on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Held at the Coworking Space Hall in Building A, the opening ceremony was attended by the Head of the Al-Islam and Muhammadiyah Studies (AIMS) and General Education (Gen Ed) Courses Unit, the Head of the Gen Ed Subunit, the Chairwoman of the English Teaching Department, faculty members, and students from across various disciplines.

The exhibition showcased the work of students enrolled in mandatory English courses. By utilizing a visual and contextual approach, the program encouraged students to bridge the gap between English tenses and their daily lives, moving beyond classroom theory into creative, real-world application. The gallery featured 33 booths—each representing an English class from UMKT’s diverse faculties—displaying a curated selection of 99 posters.

Khusnul Khatimah, Chairwoman of the English Teaching Department, noted that the university’s 33 English classes have been working both actively and productively. She highlighted that the event represents a tangible collaboration between students and lecturers, resulting in both visual masterpieces and intellectual property rights handed over to the Gen Ed subunit. "This exhibition proves that English instruction can be showcased through a creative and engaging lens," Khatimah remarked.

The event was officially opened by Asriyadi, Vice Head of AIMS and Gen Ed, who described the exhibition as a pilot project designed to modernize final assignments. He expressed hope that the program would be evaluated and developed into a sustainable initiative, serving as an inspiration for other subjects at UMKT. Asriyadi emphasized that modern education requires a shift toward skills that help students become more critical and comprehensive thinkers. Beyond the academic results, he praised the project for fostering teamwork, discipline, and accountability among the students.

The exhibition was met with great enthusiasm. Students Putra Marcelino and M. Pasha Iwana from the Accounting Department shared their journey toward the exhibition, which involved forming teams, brainstorming, and producing an English-tense-themed video as part of their final project. They admitted that while designing the posters to fit the theme was their greatest challenge, the long process was an invaluable learning experience.

The Walking Gallery Exhibition taught students that final projects are not just about academic credit, but are opportunities to gain new skills and experiences. Their interest in participating in future projects underscores the success of the initiative. This event highlights UMKT’s commitment to providing a creative, collaborative, and relevant teaching methodology that meets student needs while fostering a dynamic academic atmosphere on campus.

Author: Raisha Azzahro
Photographer: Raihana Adhwa
Translator: M. Rafly Raihandy