UNESA Strengthens SDGs-Based International Community Engagement through ICBL 2026 in Malaysia
KOTA TINGGI, Johor, 13 May 2026 – Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) continued to expand its international community engagement by participating in the International Community-Based Learning (ICBL) 2026 programme in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia. The programme was implemented in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST), and the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) communities in Gugusan Adela.
Held from 27 April to 13 May 2026, the programme involved 15 selected UNESA students who joined cross-border community-based learning activities with UTM academics and local communities. This initiative became an important platform for strengthening academic mobility, intercultural learning, and sustainable community empowerment between Indonesia and Malaysia.
UNESA’s participation in the programme was carried out through its Thematic Real Work Lecture programme, known as Kuliah Kerja Nyata Tematik (KKNT). The student delegation was officially dispatched by the Academic Mobility Team under the Directorate of Education and Learning Transformation (DPTP). Coming from various academic backgrounds, the students contributed diverse perspectives in designing and implementing community activities that were relevant to local needs.
The programme strongly reflected UNESA’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals and SDG 4 on Quality Education. Through direct engagement with the FELDA community, students were encouraged to apply academic knowledge in real social contexts while developing global awareness, leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
During the programme, UNESA students worked closely with UTM lecturers in a series of educational, environmental, cultural, entrepreneurial, and public health activities. These included school-based learning programmes, environmental greening initiatives, health awareness campaigns, entrepreneurship seminars, sports activities, and cultural exchange sessions involving local residents and school communities.
One of the key community outreach activities took place at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) FELDA Adela. At the school, UNESA students and UTM lecturers conducted learning sessions on literacy, geography, and healthy living for pupils. The activities also introduced cultural exchange and environmental awareness as part of efforts to promote mutual understanding and shared responsibility among young learners.
UTM played a significant role in facilitating experiential learning and coordinating collaboration with the local FELDA community. The programme was coordinated by Shahrin Hashim, Senior Lecturer at FEST UTM, together with a multidisciplinary team consisting of Assoc. Prof. Dr. M Al-Muz-Zammil Yasin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Rustam Mohd Rameli, Dr. Wimbi Apriwanda Nursiwan, Dr. Norliza Mohamad, Dr. Nurul Sahadila Abd. Rani, Dr. Ariff Hidayat Osman, Dr. Evarina Amiron, Dr. Najua Syuhada Ahmad Alhassora, Dr. Mohammad Faiz Ikhlas, and Dr. Mohd Syahidan Zainal Abidin.
The collaboration also involved representatives from the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), namely Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Hisyam Rasidi and Anisham Mohd Dom, further enriching the multidisciplinary nature of the programme.
Shahrin Hashim emphasized that the programme represented UTM’s commitment to building impactful international collaboration while creating meaningful benefits for society. Through this initiative, students were not only exposed to community-based learning but also trained to develop intercultural competence and global perspectives.
The programme also received positive responses from the local community. Nazarith Sofia, Community Development Officer of the FELDA village, expressed appreciation for the active contribution of UTM lecturers and UNESA students and staff in supporting educational and social development within the community.
Head of UNESA’s KKN Division, Dr. Supriyanto, stated that the programme served as a concrete step in preparing students to become globally minded graduates. Through international community-based learning, students gained valuable experience in contributing to development agendas beyond national borders.
Overall, UNESA’s involvement in ICBL 2026 demonstrated the university’s strong commitment to internationalisation, SDGs-oriented education, and community empowerment. The programme not only benefited the local community in Gugusan Adela but also strengthened long-term academic cooperation between UNESA and UTM as strategic partners in advancing sustainable development in the region.
Source: https://news.utm.my/2026/05/utm-and-unesa-strengthen-regional-collaboration-through-international-community-based-learning-programme-2026/
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