BANDUNG, Aug 21 – In a major stride towards advancing global academic collaboration, the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully conducted the EduBridge: International Student Mobility Program for Educational Growth from 17 to 21 August 2025 at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Bandung, Indonesia. The program was held in conjunction with the prestigious GREAT Summer Program 2025, themed “Greening TVET for Resilience, Empowerment and AI Transformation”.

This international academic mobility initiative was organized by the Persatuan Mahasiswa Pendidikan (PMP), UTM, under the leadership of Muhammad Nazmi Mohd Nizam, President of PMP for the 2025 session. The program brought together 14 UTM students and two academic representatives, Dr. Mohd Fahmi Adnan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusri Kamin, as part of a broader effort to cultivate global exposure, educational innovation and cross-cultural understanding among future educators. Seamlessly integrated into UPI’s flagship event, the GREAT Summer Program 2025 has served as a platform to connect Malaysian and Indonesian students in collaborative learning experiences centered on sustainability, digital transformation and TVET advancement.

“This collaboration aligns with our shared vision of preparing globally competent educators and underscores our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals through impactful education”, said Prof. Dr. Noraffandy Yahaya, Dean of FEST, UTM.

Strategic Partnership Formalized with LoA Signing

A key highlight of the program was the Letter of Agreement (LoA) signing ceremony, held on 20 August 2025 at Travello Hotel, Bandung, Indonesia, during the GREAT Summer Program Conference. The LoA was signed between Dr. Eng. Agus Setiawan, M.Si., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Education (FPTI), UPI and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusri Kamin, representing the Dean of FEST, UTM.

The ceremony was attended by UPI Rector, Prof. Dr. H. Didi Sukyadi, M.A. and witnessed by Dr. Mohd Fahmi Adnan, further affirming the long-term commitment between both institutions. The mobility program also aimed to strengthen institutional ties between UTM and UPI, laying the groundwork for a future Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The LoA outlines several strategic initiatives, including joint academic publishing, doctoral co-supervision, student exchange programs, and industrial advisory involvement.

Integration with GREAT Summer Program 2025

The EduBridge mobility program was strategically integrated into the prestigious GREAT Summer Program 2025, hosted by the FPTI, UPI. Held in a blended format, the program combined virtual learning and on-site activities under the theme “Greening TVET for Resilience, Empowerment and AI Transformation”. This thematic framework brought together international students and experts to explore sustainability, digitalisation and innovation in the context of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).

The online component of the program spanned three weeks, featuring sessions by renowned speakers including representatives from UNESCO-UNEVOC, TU Dresden, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and Padjadjaran University, covering key topics such as green skills development, artificial intelligence (AI) integration in TVET, academic publishing and design thinking for sustainability.

From 18 to 20 August 2025, UTM delegates participated in the on-site segment in Bandung, engaging in high-impact activities such as keynote lectures, collaborative field visits, and the international GREAT Conference 2025. A major highlight was the keynote address by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusri Kamin, who presented “Driving Sustainability in Higher Education: UTM’s Green Campus Experience”, shared UTM’s approach to embedding environmental responsibility across campus operations and curriculum. Participants also toured FPTI’s facilities, explored green industry initiatives in Bandung and networked with global peers and faculty members.

The integration of EduBridge into the GREAT Summer Program provided a rich and multidimensional learning experience, enhancing not only academic knowledge but also global citizenship, intercultural competence and sustainability awareness among all participants.

Real-World Learning, Real Impact

The EduBridge and GREAT Summer Program 2025 delivered more than just academic exposure it created a dynamic platform for intercultural dialogue, collaborative problem-solving, and hands-on engagement in global education practices.

One of the program’s standout features was the formation of multinational student groups, where Malaysian participants from UTM were paired with Indonesian peers from UPI. These diverse teams tackled a series of themed activities from collaborative microteaching simulations to sustainability-focused challenges requiring them to work across language, cultural, and academic boundaries. The approach not only encouraged meaningful intercultural exchange but also cultivated critical 21st-century skills such as adaptability, empathy and global communication.

This real-world immersion, underpinned by authentic tasks and peer collaboration, empowered students to think beyond the classroom and reflect on their roles as future educators in a globalised, tech-driven and sustainability-conscious world.

A Step Toward Regional Educational Leadership

“The success of EduBridge marks a significant leap forward for UTM in championing regional leadership in TVET education and international collaboration”, reflected Dr. Mohd Fahmi Adnan, Program Coordinator.

As institutions like UTM and UPI deepen their ties, programs like EduBridge serve as a cornerstone for meaningful mobility experiences that elevate student competencies while advancing mutual institutional goals for global engagement, innovation and sustainable development.

Source: UTM NewsHub