UMPSA participates in the 2024 International Staff Mobility Programmeme in Indonesia to strengthen international relations

SURABAYA, 11 October 2024 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing internationalisation efforts through the participation of two non-academic staff in the 2024 International Staff Mobility Programmeme organised by Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya, Indonesia.

The programme brought together participants from several countries, including Russia, Poland, Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, with a total of 29 international staff participants.

Held from 7 to 11 October, the programme aimed to broaden participants’ knowledge of ITS’s various internationalisation initiatives and build collaborative networks in academics, research, and student and staff exchange among international higher education institutions.

In addition, participants visited state-of-the-art facilities at the ITS campus and immersed themselves in Indonesian culture.

Established in 1960 in Surabaya, ITS is a leading higher education institution in Indonesia, focusing on Science and Technology, particularly in the maritime industry.

The university has over 27,000 students and was ranked first in Indonesia by Times Higher Education (THE Ranking) in 2021.

ITS remains a primary reference for universities in Indonesia in education, research, and community programmes.

UMPSA was represented by Azrizulazmi Bustan, Manager of the Department of Academic and International Affairs (JHEAA), and Muhammad Zufli Zuhari, Executive at the Centre for International Relations.

Throughout the programme, participants gained insights into internationalisation through sessions with ITS Global Engagement, covering topics such as student admissions, staff mobility, and student volunteer activities.

On 9 October, visits to various ITS departments and units allowed participants to better understand the academic facilities offered and exchange ideas with other participants.

UMPSA’s representatives also participated in various activities organised by ITS, including visits to faculties and the ITS Global Engagement office, meetings with directors of international offices from Indonesian universities, sessions promoting international collaborations, and cultural performances by ITS students.

According to Azrizulazmi Bustan, the programme not only opened opportunities for deeper understanding of ITS’s internationalisation approach but also strengthened bilateral ties between UMPSA and ITS, while fostering new global collaborative networks.

“This experience is invaluable for us to bring back and apply within UMPSA’s context.

“We were also given the opportunity to interact with directors of international offices from leading universities in Indonesia to establish potential collaborations with UMPSA, including promoting study opportunities abroad for ITS students.

“It is hoped that through participation in this programme, UMPSA can continue to strengthen international relations by opening more opportunities for strategic collaboration between Malaysia and international countries in academics, research, and specialised collaboration,” he stated.

The programme was officiated by ITS Deputy Rector for Human Resources and Information Systems, Associate Professor Dr. Iman Baihaqi, alongside ITS Global Engagement Director, Associate Professor Dr. Maria Anityasari.

By: Muhammad Zufli Zuhari, Centre for International Relations
Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi Abu Samah, Faculty   of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology