Written by Anira Suwandy
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah — Persatuan Teknologi Maklumat (PERTEKMA) of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has successfully completed a high-impact mobility initiative, “Kolaborasi Strategik PERTEKMA: Melangkau Sempadan Ilmu dan Komuniti,” held from 24–28 November 2025.
The five-day program brought together 22 student leaders and two lecturers on a transformative journey to foster leadership, mentorship, and community engagement.
Led by Program Director Will Pan Chen Sheng, the initiative was designed to expose students to fresh perspectives in organizational culture, social responsibility, and sustainable development—closely aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education and Partnerships for the Goals.
Leadership Without Borders: Strengthening Ties with UMS
The mobility program kicked off with a dynamic academic and administrative exchange with Persatuan Mahasiswa Fakulti Komputeran dan Informatik (PMFKI) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
Rather than a standard courtesy visit, the session evolved into a full-fledged Work Culture Exchange.
Student leaders from both institutions shared governance strategies, dissected organizational structures, and exchanged best practices for managing student associations.
The dialogue not only enriched leadership perspectives but also strengthened inter-varsity ties between the two faculties.
“Day to Dream“: Empowering Youth in Keningau
A highlight of the program was the motivational outreach “Day to Dream – Ready to Rise” at Sekolah Menengah Keningau 2, targeting Form 6 students preparing for tertiary education.
Moving away from formal talks, PERTEKMA and PMFKI introduced a “Heart-to-Heart” mentorship format.
Students were divided into small groups, where facilitators offered guidance, shared personal journeys, and addressed real anxieties about university life.
The initiative helped bridge educational gaps for rural communities, giving students direct access to relatable role models.
EduTrail Adventures: From Dairy Science to Jungle Survival
The fourth day took the delegation to Kundasang for immersive learning in both industry and biodiversity.
At Desa Dairy Farm, students participated in “EduTrail 1.0”, gaining behind-the-scenes exposure to dairy production and supply chain operations.
The adventure deepened at Kinabalu Park under “EduTrail 2.0”, where students traded screens for jungle trails.
They learned to identify medicinal plants, endangered flora, edible vegetation, and dangerous poisonous species—key survival knowledge for navigating Borneo’s dense tropical rainforest.
Cultural & Geological Insights at Kinabalu Park Museum
The journey continued at the Kinabalu Park Museum, where students explored Sabah’s rich cultural heritage and the geological significance of Mount Kinabalu.
The visit grounded their outdoor experience with deeper historical, cultural, and environmental understanding.
A Journey That Transformed Minds and Strengthened Bonds
The Sabah mobility program reaffirmed PERTEKMA’s commitment to the “Student for Society” (S4S) philosophy, showing that impactful education extends beyond classrooms.
The delegation returned to Sarawak with enhanced leadership skills, broadened worldviews, and strengthened connections with their Borneo neighbours—proving that meaningful learning begins when students cross borders, embrace differences, and rise to new challenges.
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