USK and UTM Hold International Summer Course on Sustainable Urban Living 2026
Universitas Syiah Kuala through its Office of International Affairs, in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, successfully organized an international summer course entitled “Sustainable Urban Living: Integrating Green Practices, Community Engagement, and Climate Action 2026” from 27 April to 10 May 2026. Conducted in a hybrid format, the program combined both online and onsite activities and involved 20 participants from the two universities. The program was also supported by USK’s World Class University (WCU) Program through EQUITY funding as part of the university’s commitment to strengthening internationalization and global collaboration.
Carrying the theme of sustainable urban living, the program aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the importance of integrating green practices, community engagement, and concrete climate action efforts. Beyond serving as an academic learning platform, the summer course also provided opportunities for cultural exchange and experiential learning between Indonesian and Malaysian students.
Throughout the program, participants attended a series of lectures and interactive discussions featuring a speaker from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Dr. Ahmad Fadhil Yusof. Topics covered included Community-based Waste Management Practices, Green Sustainable Practices, Waste Management and Recycling, as well as various issues related to sustainable development and environmental management.
In addition to academic sessions, participants also took part in field visits to several locations in Aceh to directly observe the implementation of sustainability concepts within local communities. The sites visited included Atsiri Research Center, Bank Sampah USK, KamiKita Community Center, and Kebun Mint, which is recognized as a center for hydroponic urban farming and public agricultural education.
The program also introduced participants to the rich culture and history of Aceh through visits to Taman Putroe Phang, Gunongan, Museum Aceh, Benteng Indrapatra, and Dekranasda Aceh. Participants also visited Desa Lubok Sukon and Gampong Nusa to learn about tourism village development and local community empowerment initiatives.
As part of the learning experience on environmental awareness and disaster mitigation, participants also visited several historic tsunami sites in Aceh, including PLTD Apung and Museum Tsunami Aceh. Through these visits, participants gained deeper insights into the importance of sustainable development and community preparedness in facing disasters.
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Muzailin Affan expressed his appreciation for the successful implementation of the program and conveyed his hope that the summer course would provide meaningful knowledge, valuable experiences, and lasting benefits for all participants.
The summer course concluded with a closing ceremony featuring group presentations and project discussions by participants. During the session, each group presented innovative ideas and solutions related to urban sustainability issues based on the knowledge and experiences gained throughout the program. The event ended with the awarding of certificates to all participants in recognition of their active participation in this international program.
