RENGIT, May 24 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) recently concluded a highly successful and vibrant three-day Foster Family Program for its international students, held in strategic collaboration with the Kampung Seri Aman community in Rengit, Johor.

Running from 22 to 24 May 2026, the initiative by UTM International Student Experience Unit, this program successfully bridged cultural boundaries and fostered lifelong international connections, reflecting UTM’s ongoing commitment to holistic student development and Internationalisation at Home (I@H) initiative.

The dynamic program saw the active participation of 30 full-time international students and 10 international mobility students. They were warmly hosted by 20 local foster families from the Seri Aman community. To ensure smooth interactions and deeper engagement, 20 local UTM students served as essential liaison officers and communication bridges. By providing this immersive, cross-cultural learning experience outside the traditional university classroom setting, the program successfully advanced SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Furthermore, by directly connecting international youths with rural traditions, the initiative actively supported SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), ensuring the safeguarding and promotion of local cultural heritage.

To provide a comprehensive and authentic look into the rural Malaysian lifestyle, the program was planned with integrating both cultural and economic exposure. A major highlight was the “Economic Heritage Trail,” an educational activity that strongly aligned with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Through this, university students brought international visibility to the village’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Participants gained firsthand insights into local manufacturing ecosystems by visiting traditional otak-otak producers, local kerepek (chip) manufacturers, and the National Farmers Organization (NAFAS) Rengit, where they were introduced to the local coffee production.

This exposure highlighted the critical role of grassroots economies in Malaysia’s broader societal development.

Cultural integration was seamlessly woven throughout the weekend. Students engaged in hands-on musical sessions with the traditional kompang and were granted the unique opportunity to attend an authentic Malay wedding ceremony alongside their foster families.

The community spirit was further cemented during the Sukaneka Riuh Sekampung, a vibrant session of traditional community tele matches. Experiencing the vibrant community celebrations, witnessing the colorful traditional attire, and observing rich local customs alongside their foster parents provided the international students with a profound appreciation for local hospitality and shared societal values.

The program officially concluded on Sunday with a closing ceremony officiated by the Member of Parliament for Batu Pahat, YB Onn Abu Bakar. The closing ceremony also featured meaningful speeches from the student representative, villagers’ representative and university leadership, solidifying the newly formed bonds.

Ultimately, this community-driven initiative served as a powerful demonstration of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It showcased a highly impactful, multi-stakeholder collaboration between UTM, local government representatives, village committees (JKKK), and rural residents.

By working together, these groups achieved shared community objectives, promoted cross-cultural empathy, and created unforgettable memories for UTM’s global student body before they bid an emotional farewell and returned to the campus.