JOHOR BAHRU – A total of five (5) non-academic staff of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have participated in the High-Impact Working Exposure (Hi-WE) program, designed for On Job Training (OJT) at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Surabaya, Indonesia starting 3^rd until 9^th February 2023. UTM International organized the Program in collaboration with the Centre for Talent and Leadership Development (CTLD), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) delegates comprised of Ms Arina Syairah Maslani, Senior Executive Officer (Corporate Services) as the leader of the delegates, Mr Noor Azam Samsudin, Senior Executive Officer (UTM-i KL), Ms Norshaliza Saparman, Senior Administrative Assistant (Corporate Services), Ms Nur Faezah Wahidah Mohd Mansor, Administrative Assistant (International Student Scholar & Services) and Mr Ahmad Fadzli Rodi, Operational Assistant (Corporate Services) from UTM International.

This delegation is the second group for the Hi-WE program and has chosen ITS as the destination to undergo the On Job Training. The ground for choosing ITS is the good cooperative relationship between UTM and ITS. On top of that, ITS also has a good reputation in Indonesia.

The objective of the Hi-WE program is to produce impactful knowledge among the staff on international relationships and partnership with other reputable universities across the globe for external experience to increase innovation and best practices in addition to fostering creativity, proactivity and staff development through observation and research of historical places with added knowledge and experience that can impact other staff upon returning home.

The Hi-WE program also aims to produce impactful knowledge among the staff through exposure and experience aligned with UTM Thrust Value S3 in culturing the working ecosystem’s Integrity, Synergy, Excellence and Sustainability (UTM ISES).

The participants of this program were responsible for managing all matters, starting from selecting group members, application for location, logistics management and oversea travel management.

In addition, participants were also given KPIs to implement throughout the program, such as presentations on UTM, obtaining quality contact for ranking, writing news, innovation, posting on FB and sending thank you emails to the University they visited. Participants also needed to visit historical places in the country they were visiting.

ITS has arranged a tight schedule from February 3^rd until February 9^th 2023. Among the programs it has placed were Bromo Trip, Visiting Historical Places, campus tour, meeting with ITS Upgrading Classes for Outbound Staff Mobility (OSM) and meeting with the related IT departments at ITS.

On the first day of the program, ITS arranged a Bromo trip with Community and Technological (CommTECH) students who came from different countries.

On the second day in Surabaya, the participants visited historical places such as Museum Sepuluh Nopember, Tugu Pahlawan, Monumen Kapal Selam and Monumen Suroboyo. Participants were also entertained by the various Indonesian traditional dances performed by local children.

The On Job Training (OJT) started on the 6^th until the 9^th of February, 2023. On the first day of OJT, participants were welcomed by the ITS Global Engagement’s representative, Ms Yeni, who introduced ITS. After that, the participants attended a meeting with the Directorate of Organization and Human Resources, followed by a tour of the campus and meeting with ITS Upgrading Classes for Outbound Staff Mobility (OSM) after lunch. Participants were appointed guest speakers in upgrading classes for Outbound Staff Mobility Program (OSM).

Participants also needed to present and exchange knowledge and experience with all the departments visited. Participants had the opportunity to meet with ITS Global Engagement World Class University Team led by Dr Rulli, ITS GE Promotion & Hospitality Team, ITS GE Partnership Team led by Dr Wahyu, Directorate of Education & Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, and Academic Development. Participants also had a chance to visit the Student Dormitory & ITS Guest House Unit.

On the last day of the program, participants needed to prepare a report and do a presentation on the immersion experiences and lessons learnt in front of all the heads of the department and ITS Global Engagement Staff.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Maria Anityasari, Director of ITS Global Engagement, welcomed this program as she mentioned on the last day of the program that this program is an excellent benchmark for both institutions to stay ahead of the curve in academic advancements. Furthermore, the exchange program strengthened the already close-knit relationship between ITS and UTM, which bodes well for future collaborations and academic mobility.

Participants also had the opportunity to visit the International Office at Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya. Dr Erlyn, Director of the International Office of Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala and her team welcomed the participants. Participants had an opportunity to do a presentation about UTM and exchange knowledge.

Participants would like to express their gratitude to the top management of UTM, Centre for Talent and Leadership Development (CTLD), UTM International Management, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) and all those involved in making the Hi-WE a successful program.

Prepared by:

Arina Syairah Maslani

Noor Azam Samsudin

Norshaliza Saparman

Nur Faezah Wahidah Mansor

Ahmad Fadzli Rodi

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