JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 25 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technologies (FEST), welcomed a distinguished delegation from the Naruto University of Education (NUE), Japan, together with representatives from Kyoto Women’s University (KWU), Kyushu Lutheran College (KLC), Muro Primary School (Kumamoto), and graduate students from the Global Education Course of NUE.
The visit began with a school engagement at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sri Pulai Perdana, where delegates observed an engaging Science teaching session. Aisyah Mohd Taha facilitated a hands-on activity on waste separation and recycling practices, while Saadah Masrani conducted experiments on changes of state such as freezing, condensation, and solidification, demonstrated through ice-cream making, jelly preparation, and other everyday examples. The delegates also learned about the school’s efforts to improve student performance in Mathematics and Science through experiential learning.
At FEST, the delegation attended a research sharing session featuring both lecturers and students.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Halim Abdullah presented on Ethnomathematics in the Malaysian Context, showcasing how cultural elements can be integrated into mathematics learning. Meanwhile, Dr. Nina Diana Nawi delivered her presentation entitled Education Beyond Borders: Environmental Education for a Sustainable Future, which emphasised the importance of environmental awareness in shaping responsible global citizens.
Student researchers also played an important role in the session by sharing their innovative work.
Han Shin Ni presented her research on a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) module aimed at enhancing students’ conceptual understanding of chemical equations. Meanwhile, Ashmimi Maisara Asha’ari introduced a Culturo-Techno-Contextual Approach (CTCA) module, which was designed to improve primary school students’ ability to visualise the heat topic in Science.
Later, the delegation met with FEST’s management team to discuss avenues for collaboration in research, teaching, and student mobility. The visit concluded with a sharing session by FEST lecturers on Mathematics and Science Education in Malaysia, providing further opportunities for academic exchange.
Speaking on behalf of the Japanese delegation, Prof. Hiroki Ishizaka expressed his appreciation, “We are impressed by the innovative practices we witnessed today, especially the integration of culture, sustainability, and creativity into teaching. We look forward to building long-term collaborations between our institutions.”
The visit marked a meaningful step towards strengthening academic and cultural ties between Malaysia and Japan, paving the way for impactful collaborations in Mathematics and Science education.
Source: UTM NewsHub