MALANG, July 20 – A group of undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Science with Education (Chemistry) with Honours programme at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) participated in an international outbound mobility programme hosted by Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) in Indonesia. This programme took place from July 14 to July 20, 2025, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Hasniza Ibrahim and Dr. Siti Najihah Jamal, both from the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST).
The participants from Year 4 included: Han Shin Ni, Ong Shi Ting, Iman Adlina Samsudin, Nur Anis Syafiqa Abdul Rashid, Miza Faiqah Suhaimi, Balqis Mohd Azman, Noor Khairiyah Hasnul Hadi, Nur Syidah Salim, and Ain Asreena Ramli.
The program began on July 14, when the delegation departed from Senai International Airport in Malaysia and travelled to Surabaya, Indonesia. From there, they proceeded to Malang for accommodation and further activities.
On July 15, the participants prepared materials for a Service-Learning STEM Exhibition, which was held the following day, July 16, at UM Indonesia. The exhibition attracted 115 students from three Indonesian schools: Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) Laboratorium UM, SMP Negeri 3 Malang, and SMP Negeri 4 Kendiri. Of the ten STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) booths showcased, two were hosted by UTM students: the Paper Helicopter and the Mini Volcano.
At the Paper Helicopter booth, visitors engaged in hands-on experimentation to explore the physics of flight. Students designed and tested paper helicopters with varying blade lengths and added weights, enhancing their understanding of gravity, air resistance, and rotational motion in a fun and engaging manner.
Meanwhile, the Mini Volcano booth generated excitement with its simulated volcanic eruption experiment. Through this interactive activity, participants learned about chemical reactions and geological processes in a fun and engaging way.
The exhibition received highly positive feedback from students and teachers, who commended the creativity and educational value of the activities.
On July 17, the group took part in an International Short Course focused on Promoting Relevant Education in Science and Sustainability. The event featured a keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. Ingo Eilks from the University of Bremen, Germany. The course highlighted the importance of sustainability in science education and presented global perspectives on innovative teaching practices.
The highlight of the program occurred on July 18, when a team of students from UTM reached the finals of the International Competition on Science Learning Innovation (ICOSLI) 2025. They competed in the Chemistry Education Poster Category and, under the expert guidance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Hasniza Ibrahim and Dr. Siti Najihah Jamal, the team was awarded the Gold Award for their exceptional project titled “Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Teaching Module to Enhance Students’ Conceptual Understanding of Chemical Equations.” The winning team members included Han Shin Ni, Nur Anis Syafiqa Abdul Rashid, Iman Adlina Samsudin, Miza Faiqah Suhaimi, and Balqis Mohd Azman.
The PBL module, Equa-Pro, is based on constructivist learning theory and was developed using a systematic Design and Development Research (DDR) approach. The module consists of three phases: needs analysis, design and development, and evaluation. Its purpose is to promote active engagement and facilitate deep conceptual understanding by guiding students through real-life problem-solving scenarios. This approach enables students to move beyond rote learning, allowing for a deeper understanding of chemical equations.
The delegation returned to Malaysia on July 21, 2025, after a week filled with meaningful academic engagements, impactful service-learning activities, and rich cultural experiences. The program provided participants with valuable international exposure, enhanced their cross-cultural understanding, and strengthened their skills in communication, teamwork, and educational innovation.
With the proud achievement of winning a Gold Award at the International Competition on Science Learning Innovation (ICOSLI) 2025 and the success of their STEM exhibition booths, the students returned home with not only academic accolades but also a renewed sense of confidence and purpose. This experience left a lasting impression on each participant, shaping them into globally minded educators who are ready to contribute meaningfully to the future of STEM education.
By: Han Shin Ni and Nor Hasniza Ibrahim