Summer School at UTM Malaysia, Strengthening Global Collaboration through the “Steps Beyond Home” Program

Twenty students from Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) had the golden opportunity to broaden their global perspectives by participating in a Summer School program titled “STEPS BEYOND HOME: Nurturing Growth through Global Exposure Program.” The event took place at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, from July 13 to 19, 2025, and also welcomed student delegates from Universitas Ciputra (UC), including both Surabaya and Makassar campuses.

The program was designed to strengthen bilateral relations among higher education institutions across countries through various academic activities, cultural exchange, and knowledge-sharing sessions. All activities were held within the UTM campus, which is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s leading institutions for technology and research.

Over the course of a week, participants engaged in a series of educational and inspiring activities, including Cultural Activities at Kompleks Kraf Johor, a 3D Printing class, a Sharing Session with the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) at UTM, a UTM campus tour, and a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative with a local school in Johor. This program opened eyes to the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and technological advancement abroad.

“This activity reflects the shared commitment of UTM, USK, and UC to expand global networks, promote sustainability, and offer learning experiences beyond the classroom walls. We carried home not just academic knowledge, but also unforgettable memories, meaningful friendships, and a broader global perspective,” said Rayyan, a participant from the Faculty of Economics and Business.

The official closing ceremony was held on July 18, 2025, at UTM and was attended by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ariffin B. Abu Hassan, Director of UTM International (UTMI). In his remarks, Dr. Ariffin stated that Steps Beyond Home is part of a reciprocal program based on the collaboration that has been established with various international partners. He expressed his appreciation to all delegates who chose UTM as their host institution and hoped that this collaboration would continue to grow by involving more institutions and similar initiatives in the future.

USK’s participation in this program reflects the university’s strong commitment to supporting the internationalization of higher education. Through cross-border learning experiences like this, students gain not only academic knowledge but also social skills, international networks, and intercultural understanding—essential qualities in today’s globalized world.

Embracing the spirit of “Steps Beyond Home”, this program also shaped USK students to become cultural ambassadors, introducing the rich heritage of Aceh and Indonesia to the world, while embracing global values that are essential in building 21st-century character and competence.