Global Classrooms in Action

In a shining example of international academic collaboration, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, and Akita Prefectural University (AKITA-PU), Japan, recently concluded a two-week short-term exchange program that blended architectural and structural exploration, experiential learning, and cultural immersion. Held from June 8 to 21, 2025, the initiative exemplifies how global engagement can foster innovation and mutual understanding across borders.

The program brought six (6) UiTM students to Akita PU for a multidisciplinary experience centered on architecture and sustainability. The delegation was accompanied by UiTM student advisors Assoc. Professor Dr. Marfiah Ab. Wahid and Assoc. Professor Ir. Dr. Norliyati Mohd Amin, whose guidance and coordination played a vital role throughout the program. Under the mentorship of Professor Hideto Kanno and Dr. Akiko Ohtsuka, participants engaged in research exchange, visited notable buildings, and participated in model-making workshops that emphasized structural design, materials, and environmental context.

The experience was enriched by a campus tour, a high-level meet and greet with Akita PU’s president, Professor Fukuda Hiroo, and an academic exchange session with Professor Miyata’s laboratory. Students also explored sustainable agriculture practices at the Akita City campus farm, bridging engineering education with real-world environmental applications.

Technical learning was complemented by immersive cultural activities. Students explored Akita’s architectural landmarks, attended the World Café session—a structured global dialogue forum on environmental building design—and participated in English Club meetings that facilitated cross-cultural communication with Japanese and Hungarian students. The communication between students was facilitated by Assoc. Professor Dr. Ken'ichi Yamazaki and Dr. Maria Carlotta Avanzi. The experience culminated in a technical tour of the magnificent Akita Arts Theater, Milhas Building, where students interacted with its original designer and explored themes of sustainability, design, and materials science.

Cultural enrichment continued through hands-on experiences such as a traditional Chinese tea workshop and collaborative presentations between students from diverse backgrounds. These activities provided invaluable soft skills training, intercultural awareness, and international networking.

The program concluded in Sendai, where students attended the prestigious Tohoku Chapter Meeting of the Architectural Institute of Japan. There, the students had the opportunity to engage with leading professionals, further expanding their global perspectives and academic ambitions.

A key highlight of this exchange was the formalization of an institutional partnership. The collaboration between Akita PU and UiTM was officially sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing their mutual commitment to student and research exchange. This agreement lays the foundation for sustained collaboration in academics, mobility programs, and joint research initiatives.

This initiative reflects a growing movement within global higher education—where experiential, intercultural, and research-integrated programs prepare students not only for academic success but also for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.

As both institutions look forward to the next chapter of this partnership, the bridges built during this exchange—both literal and symbolic—will continue to support the development of globally competent graduates equipped to meet complex global challenges.