Events Calendar
KOTA SAMARAHAN, 9 March 2021: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Utsunomiya University, Japan (UU) continues their strong partnership through consistent engagement and good friendship. UNIMAS and UU officially signed the Memorandum of Agreement on 11 May 2017. Since then, UNIMAS and UU have begun several collaborations, especially the renowned EduTour programme.
The EduTour is a student mobility programme which aims to enhance the learning experience for both UU and UNIMAS students. The idea was mooted by Associate Professor Dr. Souba Rethinasamy of UNIMAS and Prof. Dr. Tatsuhiro Ohkubo of UU which then developed into a comprehensive mobility programme with team members from both universities.
The EduTour programme was successfully conducted for three consecutive years- 2018, 2019 and 2020 here on UNIMAS campus. However, the Covid-19 pandemic nearly hindered the programme from continuing for the 4th time. Nevertheless, the strong partnership that UNIMAS and UU have developed over the years, and the valuable experiences gained from conducting the programme for three consecutive years, have given both institutions the confidence to emulate the ‘old normal’ EduTour, and give birth to a ‘new normal’ full online version, aptly named as e-EduTour2021.
The e-EduTour2021 was participated by 22 UU and 10 UNIMAS undergraduates from various faculties. The programme started with a pre-briefing on 12 February and was officiated by Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit (Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and International, UNIMAS) and Professor Dr. Natsuaki Tomohide (Executive & Vice President of Research and Global Strategy, UU).
During the one-week programme, the participants had English language lessons delving into a range of themes focusing on several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) namely, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities, Climate Action, Quality Education and Partnerships for the Goals. While the classes were conducted online by the instructors from the Faculty of Language and Communication, the UNIMAS participants served as teaching assistants in the breakout sessions.
The UNIMAS participants who are referred to as buddies, made videos of the campus and Kuching city, and had live interactions with the UU participants. Thus, albeit the pandemic fiasco, the UU participants were able to explore the beautiful UNIMAS Campus, the faculties and its facilities as well as explore the heart of Kuching City and its major attractions such as virtually walking on the stately Darul Hana Bridge, listening to the breathtaking Waterfront Musical Fountain, riding the traditional ‘perahu tambang’, and shopping for souvenirs at Main Bazaar.
The participants also had the opportunity to exchange information about their unique cultures, traditions, cuisines, songs and dances through the activities conducted throughout the programme. Interactive question and answer sessions were conducted after each activity to enhance understanding between students from the two universities, in line with the e-EduTour2021 programme’s objective.
Mr. Jonathan Dason – an alumnus of UNIMAS who was awarded the Chancellor Award in 2018, currently a strategist at a leading telecommunications company, inspired the participants through his sharing about his adventurous undergraduate life and how the experiences have equipped him well for career choices and life beyond university. Mr. Jonathan Dason gave valuable advices to both the UU and UNIMAS students on how to persevere and thrive in the working industry but at the same time contribute to community development.
In addition, a glimpse of the life of Malaysian schools was provided by Batu Lintang Secondary School’s principal, Mr. Bahtiar Afandi, teachers and students through an informative video and insights shared during live interactions with the participants.
Within the one memorable week, the participants had the opportunity to teach and learn English, Bahasa Malaysia and Japanese, share their cultures and experience an array of activities unique to Sarawak and Japan. Students continued to communicate outside of the existing prepared schedule, exchange social media accounts and to forge friendships with hopes that one day, when the Pandemic is over, they can meet face-to-face. The programme gave an insight of what the future may hold, but also serves as a gratitude to technology and creative minds of staff and students alike to think outside the box and come out with new ideas despite the challenging restrictions.
The closing ceremony which marked the end of the e-EduTour2021 was broadcasted live from the MyCapsule Space-the gamification and creative culture learning lab in UNIMAS on 20th February 2021. The UU students and UNIMAS buddies participated in colourful musical performances, and poetry recitation, showcasing their enhanced English proficiency and appreciation of each other’s cultures. The participants also delivered heartwarming farewell speeches, highlighting the experiences they had throughout this programme. An experience one would remember as it was a first-ever virtual experience for the students and staff of UU and UNIMAS.
The guests of honour, UNIMAS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr. Mohamad Kadim Suaidi and UU’s Executive and Vice President of Research and Global Strategy, Professor Dr. Natsuaki Tomohide in their speeches expressed their gratitude towards the commitment and passion of the UU participants, UNIMAS buddies and the e-EduTour2021 team from both universities for pulling off yet another successful and the first full online edition of the EduTour programme. The commitment to not let the current restricting situation hinder the programme clearly shows how much both UU and UNIMAS value the meaning it brings to the students’ university education and experience.
