SKUDAI, April 30 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST), recently hosted an academic delegation from the Sports Education Program at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), Indonesia. This two-day visit, which took place from April 29 to 30, 2025, was a significant step in promoting academic collaboration and curriculum benchmarking in the field of sports science education.
The primary goal of the visit was to benchmark UTM’s Bachelor of Science with Education (Sports Science) with Honours program, focusing on its academic structure, curriculum development, and the integration of sports science in higher education. UMS identified UTM’s program as a model institution for enhancing and refining its Sports Education curriculum.
The Sports Education Program at FKIP UMS Indonesia is dedicated to developing competent and character-driven physical education professionals. With a focus on holistic development, the program emphasizes theoretical knowledge, pedagogical skills, and practical application, aligning well with UTM’s interdisciplinary and practice-oriented approach to sports science education.
During the visit, the delegation participated in various academic activities, including structured dialogues, curriculum sharing sessions, research presentations, and tours of UTM’s state-of-the-art sports science facilities. These interactions allowed both institutions to explore mutual interests and potential collaboration, particularly in areas such as student and staff mobility, joint research, and the co-organization of seminars, workshops, and academic exchanges.
A notable highlight of the visit was a knowledge-sharing session on Pencak Silat, presented by Dr. Nur Subekti, the Head of the Sports Education Program at FKIP UMS Indonesia. Dr. Subekti is a respected researcher and coach in Pencak Silat and has conducted extensive research in this field, contributing to the martial art on an international level. The session was attended by the coordinator and staff from the Sports Excellence Centre at UTM, along with UTM’s Pencak Silat athletes. It offered participants advanced technical insights and a deeper understanding of the cultural roots of this martial art, serving as both an educational and cultural exchange experience.
Dr. Nur Subekti praised UTM’s approach, stating, “We are truly impressed by UTM’s holistic approach to sports science education. The seamless integration of theory and practice, a robust curriculum, and a strong emphasis on student development reflect a comprehensive academic model. The quality of UTM’s facilities and academic delivery has left a lasting impression on our delegation.”
UTM, represented by FEST, has shown a strong interest in formalizing strategic partnerships with UMS to enhance sports education and research in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. The visit ended with the exchange of tokens of appreciation and a shared commitment to strengthening academic ties through future collaborations.