By Hazriffuddin bin Ayup from Quantity Surveying Programme, Faculty of Built Environment
Edited by Sr Ts Wan Suhana Abdullah Saimi
The Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) embarked on an exciting journey to Semarang, Indonesia, for the Summer Outbound Mobility Course and International Collaboration Community Service at Sekolah Vokasi Universitas Diponegoro (SV UNDIP). Held from February 24 to 26, 2025, the program focused on Building Information Modeling (BIM) for rural tourism planning, offering students a hands-on learning experience while fostering international friendships and cultural exchange.
A total of thirteen enthusiastic students from UNIMAS took part, including Architecture undergraduates (Year 1 and 2) and Quantity Surveying (QS) students (Year 2 to Year 4). They were joined by students from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), making it a dynamic and diverse academic adventure! The program commenced with a warm welcome ceremony, officiated by Professor Dr. Ir. Budiyono, M. Si., the Dean of SV UNDIP. Representing UNIMAS were Dr. Atta Idrawani bin Zaini, Dean of the Faculty of Built Environment, and Sr Ts Wan Suhana binti Abdullah Saimi, Deputy Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
The ceremony included a symbolic Lanyard Ceremony, marking the official start of the program. Participants then embarked on a guided tour of UNDIP’s stunning hilltop campus, home to various faculties, including Law, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry. With breathtaking views and a bus ride through the vast university grounds, students got a glimpse into life at UNDIP. A special lunch stop at Koffie Goen, a historic café with Dutch colonial architecture, introduced students to local flavors. They savored Lodeh Djadoel, a traditional Javanese meal featuring rice, vegetable stew, salted fish, and sambal trasi—a truly authentic cultural experience!
The program’s core activity focused on a Rural Tourism Masterplan Project at Tuntang Village in Karang Tengah. Students were welcomed by Pak Kades (the village head), who provided insights into the community’s lifestyle, agricultural practices, and eco-tourism potential. Working in collaborative groups with UNDIP and UTHM students, participants explored the village’s vast paddy fields, brainstorming sustainable tourism ideas to enhance its economic potential.
A significant milestone of the program was the signing of the Letter of Intent (LOI) between UNIMAS and UNDIP, reinforcing academic partnerships and future research initiatives.
Students gained valuable insights through a lecture on “VR Area Scanning for Tourism Planning”, delivered by Dr. Atta Idrawani bin Zaini and moderated by Miss Ratih Widiastuti. The session explored cutting-edge digital tools to enhance tourism planning through virtual reality.
Participants also took part in a hands-on Batik Shibori workshop, where they learned the traditional Indonesian tie-dye technique that combines wax-resist methods with intricate patterns. This activity offered a unique opportunity to appreciate the craftsmanship of Indonesian textile art.
In another engaging session, participants learned to play the Angklung, a traditional Sundanese bamboo instrument. They even performed the classic “Burung Kaka Tua”, creating a beautiful cross-cultural moment.
The final day of the program commenced with another lecture session titled “BIM for Tourism Object Planning,” delivered by Dr. Azmal Bin Sabil from UTHM and moderated by Miss Nevy Risna Dwi Kumala. This session explored the integration of BIM in tourism infrastructure planning, emphasizing the importance of digital tools in sustainable tourism development.
With newfound knowledge and collaborative efforts, students worked diligently to finalize and present their Rural Tourism Masterplans before a panel of judges from SV UNDIP. The judges praised the impressive work, and the best design could even be implemented in Tuntang Village! The program concluded with a heartfelt closing ceremony, where participants donned traditional attire, exchanged tokens of appreciation, and reflected on an unforgettable experience of learning and friendship.
The UNIMAS Summer Outbound Mobility Course was more than just an academic trip—it was a transformative experience filled with learning, culture, and friendship. Students gained hands-on knowledge in BIM for tourism planning, developed cross-cultural competencies, and strengthened international collaborations.
A huge thank you to UNDIP for their warm hospitality! We look forward to future partnerships and hope to welcome UNDIP to UNIMAS soon.
💙 “Ubu-ubu ikan lele, Bersama UNDIP, kita bersatu. Jauh di mata, dekat di hati, Kenangan ini takkan berlalu.”
This article is related with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) – Quality Education.
This article is related with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 17) – Partnership for the Goals.