Faculty of Educational Studies, UPM Collaborates with Universitas Diponegoro to Empower Students Through a Transformative Outbound Mobility Program

Semarang, Indonesia 10 -25 July 2024 - In a collaborative initiative led by Professor Dr. Roziah binti Mohd Rasdi from the Faculty of Educational Studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), students participated in a 14-day outbound mobility program, which included 10 days at Universitas Diponegoro in Indonesia and 4 days of online engagement. The program, designed to bridge academic excellence with cultural immersion, featured a Summer Camp, a Research Workshop, and an International Conference. The outbound mobility program was developed in collaboration with the University of Diponegoro, Semarang, to shape the program’s academic framework and ensure that participants acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly globalized world. Eight UPM students from the Bachelor of Science Human Resource Development with Honors program—Vanessa Luly Anak Jimmy, Anis Nadhirah Binti Abrari, Nur Syazana Binti Saiful Islam Bernard, Nur Aina Khadijah Binti Azhari, Nurul Afiqah Binti Mohd Razean, Afrina Hayani Binti Adam, Nurshazliana Azwa Binti Norizal, and Nur Syamimi Binti Hamdan—were selected to participate, where they engaged in activities designed to enhance their understanding of cultural diversity and inclusivity.

Held from July 10 to July 25, 2024, the program kicked off with the 6th PSYCHE Summer Course at the Faculty of Psychology, Diponegoro University. Themed “Igniting the Spirit of Inclusivity to Foster Youth Empowerment,” the course attracted 54 participants from various countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, New Zealand, and China. During their stay in Semarang, the students were immersed in a vibrant cultural exchange, participating in activities such as batik-making, traditional dance workshops, and a city tour of Semarang’s historic sites. They also spent three days living among villagers in Desa Lerep, where they learned to make traditional herbal drinks, created batik prints, hiked to local waterfalls, and participated in a traditional torch parade.

Distinguished scholars from the contributing countries also joined to further enrich the academic experience, with Prof. Dr. Roziah delivering a compelling lecture on 'The Future of Work: Skills and Competencies for the 21st Century.' Her presentation underscored the evolving skill sets required in today’s dynamic job market and prepared students to navigate future challenges with confidence and competence.

The program's academic rigor was complemented by the International Research Workshop on July 22-23, 2024. This hybrid event provided undergraduate and postgraduate students with a platform to explore post-pandemic psychological issues, from mental health behavior changes to strategies for enhancing resilience and post-trauma recovery. Additionally, UPM students virtually attended the 5th International Conference on Psychological Studies (ICPSYCHE) on July 24-25, 2024, where they delved into topics related to diversity and inclusivity in human resource management, further broadening their academic and professional horizons.

The UPM students returned with not just academic knowledge but also a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusivity. As one of the participants, Nur Syamimi, reflected, “The PSYCHE 2024 summer course was an incredibly enriching experience that exceeded my expectations. It was a perfect blend of academic and cultural exposure that I would highly recommend to others.”

This outbound mobility program, a testament to the successful collaboration between UPM and Universitas Diponegoro, provided a platform for cultural exchange and academic interaction that will have lasting impacts on the students' educational journeys and future careers. Through this experience, UPM continues to demonstrate its commitment to producing globally competent graduates capable of thriving in an interconnected world.

Date of Input: 23/08/2024 | Updated: 23/08/2024 | zainz