Jakarta, November 29, 2023 – EnGage Jakarta 2023, a collaborative initiative led by UTM Institution of Engineering and Technology (UTM IET) On Campus, in partnership with Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) and Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta (UIN), has achieved remarkable success. The program involved 16 engineering students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), guided by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Jasrul Jamani bin Jamian, alongside education scholars from UNJ and UIN. The primary goal of this initiative is to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and achieve Net-Zero Carbon Emission.

Focused on decarbonization, the program successfully shifted electricity generation at Rawamangun 12 Pagi Elementary School from non-renewable sources to a carbon-free renewable solar source. UTM engineering students and their Indonesian counterparts collaborated closely, introducing 6th-grade students to solar panel electricity generation through interactive experiments, including a popular solar car race that promoted diverse design thinking.

“We aim to instill awareness of sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources in the younger generation through the introduction of solar technology,” expressed the program director enthusiastically.

Beyond its environmental impact, the program facilitated an enriching cultural exchange. Traditional games such as ‘ceper,’ ‘batu seremban,’ ‘sepak bulu ayam,’ and ‘baling selipar’ were introduced to Indonesian students, fostering closer ties between Malaysia and Indonesia through their rich cultural heritage. Despite being the first meeting, the participation of the three universities felt natural.

The event concluded with the establishment of a stronger network between Malaysia and Indonesia, promoting STEM development across both countries. This successful initiative demonstrates that cross-country collaboration serves not only to advance knowledge but also to strengthen regional relationships. As a testament to its success, UTM IET On Campus plans to expand the EnGage program to other countries, such as Japan, Brunei, and Thailand, based on collaborative partnerships stemming from the first-ever Virtual Capstone Experience (ViCE) series held annually

Source: UTM NewsHub