UTM FEST Elevates Global Presence through Outbound Mobility and ICEISR 2025 Participation in Surabaya

Dr. Nur Azmina Paslan

SURABAYA, Sept 10 – In a significant step towards strengthening academic internationalisation, the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully conducted an Outbound Mobility Programme to Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, held in conjunction with the 9th International Conference on Education, Islamic Studies and Social Science Research (ICEISR 2025).

The UTM delegation, led by Dr. Nur Azmina Paslan and Dr. Fauziah Zaiden, comprised three doctoral candidates and seven master’s students from psychology and counselling programmes. Their participation as paper presenters underscored UTM’s commitment to cultivating a research-driven culture while enhancing postgraduate students’ international exposure.

At ICEISR 2025, which took place from 6–7 September, the UTM representatives presented papers across a wide range of themes in education, Islamic studies, and the social sciences. Their contributions continued at the Symposium on Psychology & Counselling 2025 on 8–9 September, where students presented in parallel sessions alongside international peers. The integrated participation across both events provided a multidimensional platform for academic exchange, cross-border collaboration, and professional growth, reinforcing FEST’s role in advancing UTM’s internationalisation agenda.

Beyond conference participation, the delegation joined institutional visits organised by Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang. These included tours of the Psychology Laboratory and the Gribel Flanela Therapy Centre, where participants observed local approaches to psychological services and mental health education. Such experiences effectively bridged classroom-based theory with applied practice, offering valuable cross-cultural insights into psychology and counselling.

The programme also highlighted the importance of networking. UTM lecturers and students engaged with international academics in discussions on joint research, cross-cultural counselling practices, and future collaboration opportunities. These exchanges reinforced the critical role of global engagement in higher education while preparing participants for international research collaboration.

Overall, the Outbound Mobility Programme successfully connected UTM with global academic platforms, equipping participants with broader international perspectives and strengthening institutional ties with Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang. The insights and experiences gained are expected to enhance academic development, research capacity, and professional readiness within a global context, laying the groundwork for future partnerships and collaborative projects in line with UTM’s vision of impactful international engagement.