In a bid to foster cross-cultural learning and innovative thinking, 10 students and two lecturers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) recently participated in the 4th Southeast Asia Mobility for 21st Century Skills (SAM21) event held in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia.

The SAM21 program, which took place from July 20 to July 24, 2024, brought together a total of 30 students from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Each university—Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ), King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), and UTM—sent 10 students to engage in activities focused on developing 21st-century skills through design thinking.

The participants, organized into groups of three with representatives from each participating country, undertook intensive workshops aimed at enhancing skills essential for the modern global workforce. Central to the program was the challenge to innovate a campus library using design thinking principles.

Over the course of the program, students were exposed to various aspects of 21st-century skill-building, including critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. They applied these skills to propose innovative solutions for transforming a library into a dynamic space that caters to the evolving needs of students and faculty.

Dr. Fauzan Khairi Che Harun, one of the lecturers from UTM accompanying the students, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s outcomes. “The SAM21 program has provided our students with invaluable experiences in working across cultures and disciplines. The focus on design thinking has empowered them to propose practical and innovative solutions to real-world challenges,” he remarked.

The students and lecturers returned to UTM inspired and equipped with newfound skills and perspectives, ready to contribute to their university community and beyond. Their participation in SAM21 underscores UTM’s commitment to preparing students for global citizenship and leadership in the 21st century.

The SAM21 initiative continues to strengthen ties among participating universities in Southeast Asia, fostering a network of future leaders adept at navigating the complexities of a globalized world.

Source: UTM NewsHub