HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug 30 – The MathVenture Program unfolded over three inspiring days in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together future educators from the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), Vietnam. This initiative was designed to foster international collaboration, strengthen academic exchange, and celebrate both cultural and mathematical diversity as vital bridges between communities across borders.

The program began at the USSH Main Campus in District 1, home to the university’s central administration and postgraduate facilities. The welcoming ceremony featured heartfelt speeches by Dr. Ly Binh Nhung, from Faculty of Education, USSH and Dr. Najua Syuhada Ahmad Alhassora from FEST, UTM, who expressed their joy at this collaborative opportunity. Both emphasized that such initiatives not only deepen cultural exchange but also reimagine the teaching and learning of mathematics in more engaging and innovative ways. They highlighted how global exposure is essential for shaping mathematics educators who are competitive, creative, and globally minded.

An interactive “Hello Across Borders: Meet & Mingle!” session followed, involving 28 students. Participants confidently introduced themselves, shared academic interests, and exchanged cultural insights while forming meaningful peer partnerships. The activity enhanced communication skills and nurtured mutual appreciation of diversity. Later, the USSH team hosted a Main Campus Tour, offering UTM students a closer look at the university’s facilities and academic environment.

The program continued the next day at the USSH Second Campus in Thu Duc City, about 45 minutes from downtown Ho Chi Minh. The morning featured collaborative workshops and cultural activities, including a lively exploration of the similarities and differences between Vietnamese and Malaysian traditions. This session encouraged mutual respect, strengthened international friendships, and demonstrated the importance of cultural dialogue in education and society.

In the afternoon, Dr. Mohamad Ikram Zakaria from UTM, delivered a captivating presentation on “Math Culture and Building Design through GeoGebra.” Supported by Dr. Najua Syuhada, the session revealed how mathematics underpins the elegance of architecture and cultural expression. Using GeoGebra’s dynamic technology, abstract concepts were transformed into striking visual demonstrations, offering participants a fresh perspective on how mathematics connects seamlessly with real-world design. The session highlighted mathematics not merely as numbers and formulas but as a creative force that shapes culture, design, and innovation. The day ended with a tour of the Thu Duc Campus, giving participants deeper insights into the vibrant learning environment of USSH.

The final day, hosted by UTM, placed the spotlight on three engaging sessions that blended mathematics, creativity, and culture. The first was MathQuest Explorace, a fast-paced challenge with five stations that tested teamwork, problem-solving, and both critical and creative thinking. The stations: Math Charades, Draw and Pass, Paper Bridge, Number Bingo Showdown, and Tarsia Puzzle, integrated mathematics with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) concepts, showing how learning can be fun, active, and collaborative.

This was followed by Math Arts, where participants explored geometry through hands-on drawing and origami, discovering how mathematics can be expressed artistically as well as logically. During the session, students were also introduced to the concept of different angles in geometry, helping them see how shapes, patterns, and perspectives can be created and appreciated from multiple viewpoints.

The last session, Cultural Exchange – “Let’s Learn Malay,” brought laughter and joy as USSH students learned basic Malay vocabulary, created short sentences, and practiced speaking in front of their peers. This cultural sharing not only built confidence but also strengthened appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity.

All sessions provided opportunities for UTM students to deliver presentations and engage in meaningful sharing. Importantly, knowledge transfer was not confined to presentations alone but occurred throughout the activities, as participants actively exchanged ideas, problem-solving strategies, and cultural perspectives.

Across the three-day journey, students worked in mixed teams, tackled creative challenges, and discovered how mathematics can serve as a universal language of collaboration. The program emphasized that mathematical thinking can transcend borders, nurture creativity, and promote intercultural understanding. By its conclusion, participants reflected on the knowledge gained, friendships formed, and networks built. The collaborative spirit between UTM and USSH students stood as a testament to the power of education in uniting communities across nations.

The MathVenture experience was not only an academic exchange but also an opportunity to explore culture, creativity, and community. Students gained valuable communication, leadership, and teamwork skills, developed broader perspectives on mathematics and its cultural relevance, and built stronger academic and cultural networks for future collaboration. With its balance of academic innovation and cultural immersion, MathVenture 2025 is expected to pave the way for continued partnerships between UTM and USSH, showing how mathematics can connect people across borders.