📝 Summary
Twelve students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia participated in a summer course in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, where they learned about sustainable urban living, community engagement, and climate action. The program, which supported the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11, included lectures, workshops, and field visits to cultural and historical sites. The students gained a deeper understanding of Acehnese culture and traditions, as well as environmental sustainability and community resilience.
BANDA ACEH, May 9 – A total of 12 students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) recently participated in the Summer Course on Sustainable Urban Living: Integrating Green Practices, Community Engagement, and Climate Action 2026 hosted by Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
The programme, organised by the Office of International Affairs (OIA), USK, was conducted from 27 April until 10 May 2026 through a blended learning approach involving online lectures and onsite experiential learning activities.
The initiative also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through its emphasis on sustainable urban practices, environmental awareness, and community engagement.
The participation of the UTM students was coordinated through the collaboration between the UTM International Office and the Student Activities & Development Division (BAPP) under the Sulung Programme. For many of the students, the programme marked their first opportunity to travel abroad and participate in an international mobility experience.
Throughout the two-week programme, participants attended lectures, workshops, and field visits related to sustainable urban development, household waste management, urban gardening, and energy-efficient living.
The programme also exposed students to community-based sustainability initiatives and cultural immersion activities around Banda Aceh.
Among the highlights were visits to recycling and waste management centres, eco-tourism sites, cultural villages, and historical landmarks such as the Tsunami Museum and PLTD Apung.
These activities provided students with deeper insights into environmental sustainability, disaster awareness, and community resilience. One participating student shared that the programme helped broaden their understanding of Acehnese culture and traditions.
“I learned a lot about the culture and way of life in Aceh. The people were very welcoming, and the experience taught me the importance of respecting different cultures and communities,” said the student.
Another student reflected on the emotional experience of visiting sites related to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.
“Visiting the Tsunami Museum and PLTD Apung was very touching. It made me realise how resilient the people of Aceh are and taught me the importance of community support during difficult times,” the student added.
The involvement of UTM students in the programme reflects UTM’s continuous commitment towards producing globally competent graduates equipped with leadership qualities, sustainability values, and international perspectives while strengthening collaboration with international partner institutions.
The students also expressed that they learned significantly from the visit, made new friends from different countries, gained deeper familiarity with Acehnese culture, and described the experience as one of their most memorable moments during their study at UTM.
