A team of four university lecturers from
UiTM Kedah Branch, Malaysia, embarked on an academic visit to Japan from 22 September 2024 until 1 October 2024 as part of an internationalisation project aimed at fostering cross-cultural academic exchanges and collaborations. The delegation, representing Special Interest Group – Public Interest Centre of Excellence (SIG PICE) and Academy of Language Studies, UiTM Kedah Branch, Malaysia, visited three key locations in Japan: Tokyo, Akita, and Osaka. The lecturers are Puan Syazliyati Ibrahim as the project leader, Puan Syakirah Mohammed, Puan Mazlifa Md Daud and Puan Robekhah Harun. The initiative was organised to seek inte ational linkages, strengthen institutional partnerships, and promote cultural understanding between their home university and Japanese counterparts.
The visit commenced in Tokyo, where the lecturers had a meeting with the officers at the Malaysian Embassy to Japan. The delegates were entertained by the officers who are Encik Anwar Udzir (Deputy Chief Mission), Encik Imran Yussof (Counsellor-Education) and Puan Nora Azlinda Jaapar (Counsellor). Since Tokyo serves as a hub for networking and setting the foundation for long-term collaborative projects, the university lecturers sought practical advice and suggestions on how to further strengthen imminent international linkages with other universities in Japan.
The next stop was Akita, a city renowned for its innovative approach to rural education and community development. The lecturers visited Akita International University, where they were introduced to unique programs designed to bridge the gap between urban and rural education, and they had the opportunity to observe immersive cultural experiences provided to intrnational students. The serene setting of Akita also allowed for meaningful exchanges on how regional universities can contribute to the global academic landscape. The university lecturers also presented their lectures on internationalisation efforts, critical thinking teaching approaches and community service projects to the post-graduate students from the Graduate School of Global Communication and Language. The lecturers were warmly welcomed by the International Collaboration Officer, Mr. Travis Senzaki and the Dean of Graduate School of Global Communication and Language, Professor Hiroki Uchida. A meeting was also held to discuss future collaborations between the two institutions.
The journey concluded in Osaka, a bustling city known for its vibrant academic and cultural scene. In Osaka, the lecturers attended a meeting with the representatives of Japan Da’wah Centre, Encik Zulkarnain Hasan Basri (President) and Cik Siti Zakira Imana Abdul Rahman (Staff).
The meeting explored collaborative opportunities in student exchange programmes especially inte ship opportunities for UiTM students. The meeting also discussed the impending Memorandum of Agreement to be signed by both organisations to promote the learning of Japanese language and Arabic language in Malaysia and Japan. The academic visit to Japan was hailed as a resounding success, with the lecturers expressing optimism about the potential for future partnerships and the enriched perspectives gained through the experience.
