JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 4 – In a continued effort to strengthen international partnerships, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) extended its collaboration with Universitas Lembah Dempo (UNILED) through an academic visit to Pagar Alam, Indonesia, from 18-21 September 2024. This visit followed UNILED’s earlier engagement with UTM in May and further solidified the growing academic ties between the two institutions.
The highlight of the visit was the International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Community Program, held on September 20, 2024, across three secondary schools in Pagar Alam: El-Gontori Islamic Boarding School, Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) Negeri 1 and Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) Negeri 2. The program aimed to ignite students’ interest in programming and robotics, introducing them to hands-on learning that also foster digital skills that are beneficial for the future.
Co-organized by UTM and UNILED, the event brought together a joint team of 16 lecturers, 4 staff members and 26 student facilitators from both universities to engage at the local schools. This program is also part of a research initiative funded by a UTM research grant, UTM International and the Faculty of Computing, UTM, with participation from UTM postgraduate students as part of their academic development. Each school hosted approximately 20-30 secondary school students, along with their teachers, in a vibrant, interactive learning environment.
At the core of the program was RoboKar, an educational mobile robot designed to make programming accessible and fun. Through a problem-solving activity, students were introduced to fundamental programming concepts while also understanding how these skills are essential in the digital age. The hands-on sessions not only engaged the students but also demonstrated the real-world applications of technology in shaping future careers.
The RoboKar activities was warmly received by the participants, with positive feedback from surveys conducted among the secondary school participants, highlighting the impact of the knowledge learned on sparking interest in robotic programming. Additionally, the RoboKar learning module, developed by experts from the Faculty of Computing, has been utilized since 2019 in CSR programs within the Segamat community in Malaysia. The Faculty of Computing aims to extend the benefits of RoboKar not only within Malaysia but also internationally, promoting its impact on student communities wherever it can contribute to educational growth and inspire learning.
The academic visit from UTM was warmly welcomed by the local Indonesian community. Beyond the educational aspects, the schools proudly showcased Pagar Alam’s rich cultural heritage, offering UTM visitors an opportunity to experience unique local traditions and customs. This cultural exchange added a special dimension to the program, making it a meaningful experience for all participants.
The academic visit, led by Dr. Suhaila Mohamad Yusuf, also encompassed a range of activities coordinated by Persatuan Mahasiswa Sains Komputer (PERSAKA), UTM’s undergraduate student association, RoboKar was one of main activities held in this visit. Other activities included cultural and knowledge exchange. The success of all activities was evident in the spirited participation from all participants expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from each other’s cultures and academic practices. This collaboration not only deepened the connection between UTM and UNILED but also laid a strong foundation for future joint initiatives.
Overall, this CSR initiative extended beyond technical training, serving as a platform to share innovative educational practices from Malaysia with the Pagar Alam community. It empowered local students with new learning opportunities while also strengthen the collaborative ties between UTM, UNILED and the schools involved. It also paves the way for continued collaboration, benefiting both institutions and the broader communities they serve.
By Nurul Nazihah Jamal