By Haiqal Rawlins
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) successfully concluded its third edition of the Program Kembara UKM at Pondok Bantan, Thailand, marked by the signing of significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements were established between UKM and Pondok Bantan’s Sekolah Agama Prateepsasana, as well as with Walailak University.
Coordinated by the Faculty of Islamic Studies, the MoU with Pondok Bantan aims to foster educational development, while the partnership with Walailak University, led by the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI) UKM, focuses on advancing higher education and research initiatives.
Prof. Dato’ Dr. Wan Kamal Mujani, UKM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, emphasized that these collaborative agreements would contribute to producing competitive graduates equipped with not only knowledge but also the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly globalized world.
“This partnership will cultivate top-tier graduates, enhance research and innovation ecosystems, introduce new approaches to knowledge transfer, and advance the internationalization of higher education,” he stated.
As part of the program, a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Professional Development for Language Teachers was conducted at Pondok Bantan. The session, attended by 20 teachers from Pondok Bantan, was led by language instructors from the School of Liberal Studies (CITRA-UKM).
In addition to the academic and professional development activities, UKM’s delegation also conducted health check-ups for 85 residents of Kampung Kedahan, in collaboration with the UKM Health Centre and Hospital Canselor Tunku Muhriz (HCTM). Meanwhile, a Sunathon program was held at the Prateepasat Wiratsayamanee School, involving 70 children aged 5 to 12 years.
The initiative saw participation from PESISTRA students, who volunteered their time as part of their community service, assisting in the health checks and sunathon event.
UKM’s ongoing collaboration with Pondok Bantan, which began in August 2017, has focused on strengthening academic networks and engaging with the local community, particularly those who still use Malay in daily communication.
The program culminated in a kenduri and a Forum Perdana on Islamic Affairs, themed “Dunia Dikendung, Akhirat Dijunjung” (Balancing the World and the Hereafter), held at Kampung Kedahan. Program Kembara UKM Siri 3 was organized by CITRA-UKM in partnership with UKM’s Centre for Industry & Community Partnerships (I-COMM), Faculty of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Medicine, LESTARI, Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA), Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, UKM Security Division, Centre for Corporate Communications and the UKM Bikers Club.
