UMPSA welcomes 29 Japanese participants for Japan Summer Odyssey 2026

PEKAN, 15 September 2026 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) welcomed 29 participants from two Japanese partner institutions, Iwate University and the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Yonago College, for the UMPSA Japan Summer Odyssey 2026, held from 7 to 14 September 2026.
 
The programme brought together ten participants from Iwate University and 19 participants from NIT Yonago, offering them an immersive experience across Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Kuantan and Pekan while strengthening academic, cultural and people-to-people connections between Malaysia and Japan.

The programme also continues UMPSA’s annual summer tradition of hosting students from Iwate University and NIT Yonago, reflecting the long-standing partnerhips between the institutions and their shared commitment to promoting student mobility, intercultural learning and academic exchange.

Organised as part of UMPSA’s international mobility initiatives, the Japan Summer Odyssey combines academic exposure, community engagement, cultural immersion, environmental awareness and experiential learning, allowing participants to experience Malaysia beyond the conventional classroom setting.

Throughout the programme, the Japanese participants were accompanied by four UMPSA student buddies who assisted them during activities, facilitated communication and introduced them to Malaysian culture and university life. 

The buddy system also created opportunities for closer interaction between Malaysian and Japanese students, enabling them to build friendships, exchange perspectives and strengthen their intercultural communication skills.
 

At UMPSA, the participants gained exposure to the university’s academic environment, teaching and learning activities and opportunities for engagement with the UMPSA community, including a visit to the Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering Technology.

Their learning experience extended beyond the university through a visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Biram, Pekan, where the Japanese participants interacted with local pupils and experienced the Malaysian school environment. 

The engagement provided a meaningful platform for cultural exchange while giving the participants a closer understanding of Malaysia’s education system, local communities and everyday life.

 
The programme also introduced participants to Malaysia’s cultural diversity, beginning with activities in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya before they continued their journey to Kuantan and Pekan in Pahang.

Environmental learning formed another important part of the programme. Among the highlights was a visit to a turtle sanctuary, where participants learnt about turtle conservation and the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Participants also joined an excursion to Air Terjun Pelangi, where they experienced Pahang’s natural landscape while developing teamwork and strengthening friendships through outdoor activities. 

These experiences enabled the participants to discover Malaysia beyond the university campus and gain a deeper appreciation of the country’s cultural diversity, local communities and natural heritage.

 
Representing NIT Yonago, Professor Yoshiyuki Uruma expressed his appreciation for the hospitality extended to the delegation throughout the programme.

“This programme has given our participants a valuable opportunity to experience Malaysia not only through academic activities, but also through its people, culture, schools and natural environment. 

“We are very grateful to UMPSA for their warm hospitality and support throughout our stay. 

“I believe the friendships and experiences gained here will remain with our participants for a long time and further strengthen the partnership between NIT Yonago and UMPSA,” he said.

He also expressed hope that the close cooperation between both institutions would continue to create more opportunities for student exchange and academic collaboration in the future.

The programme concluded with a joint closing ceremony alongside Cohort 4 of the LRVTC–UMPSA Language and Vocational Skills Short-Term Training Programme, bringing together participants from Japan and China in a celebration of international friendship, cultural exchange and shared learning.
 
The joint closing provided participants with an opportunity to reflect on their experiences, share memories and celebrate the friendships developed throughout their time at UMPSA.

The UMPSA Japan Summer Odyssey 2026 demonstrates the university’s commitment to providing meaningful international learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. 

Through programmes such as this, UMPSA continues to strengthen its long-standing partnerships with Japanese higher education institutions and expand opportunities in student mobility, academic exchange and cross-cultural learning.

By: Associate Professor Dr. Nik Aloesnita Nik Mohd Alwi and Nur Ezzati Mohd Nasir, Centre for Academic Collaboration & Mobility (CACM)