Written by Dr. Nur Constance Wah and Dr. Siti Aisyah Ya’kob, FEB – UNIMAS
BANDUNG, INDONESIA, 7 August 2026 — The Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), strengthened its international academic engagement with the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Informatika dan Bisnis Indonesia (UNIBI), through a collaborative visit focused on empowering students and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education.
Held in Bandung, Indonesia, the programme brought together students and lecturers from both institutions, creating opportunities for academic exchange, networking and cross-cultural learning. A total of 11 UNIMAS students participated in the programme, comprising nine students from the Corporate Management programme and two students from the Accounting programme.
The programme commenced with welcoming remarks by Assoc. Professor Dr. H. Deni Johansyah, Vice Rector for Research, Student Affairs and Cooperation, UNIBI, who emphasised the importance of strengthening academic collaboration between UNIMAS and UNIBI. His remarks highlighted the potential for both institutions to develop continued cooperation in areas that benefit students and academics, including knowledge exchange, academic activities and future collaborative initiatives.
A key highlight of the programme was the presentation by student representatives from UNIMAS and UNIBI, who shared insights into their respective student societies, including their activities, experiences and contributions to their university communities. The student-led presentations provided an opportunity for participants to learn from one another, exchange ideas and explore potential areas for future collaboration between student societies. The sharing session further strengthened the student-centred nature of the programme by providing students with a platform to showcase their organisational experiences and learn from their peers across countries. Through this exchange, students were encouraged to develop greater awareness of different approaches to student engagement, leadership and society activities.
The academic engagement was further strengthened through the signing of a collaborative arrangement between UNIMAS and UNIBI, formalising their commitment to strengthening cooperation in student and academic activities. The agreement was signed by Dr. Nur Constance Wah, SICMA Society Advisor, UNIMAS and Dr. Vika Aprianti, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, UNIBI.
Representing UNIMAS were Dr. Nur Constance Wah and Dr. Siti Aisyah Ya’kob, Programme Coordinator for the Marketing Programme. The UNIBI delegation included Assoc. Professor Dr. H. Deni Johansyah, Vice Rector for Research, Student Affairs, and Cooperation; Dr. Vika Aprianti, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business; and Dr. Sabila Saberina, Head of the Management Study Program.
The collaboration provides a foundation for both institutions to explore future opportunities in Global Classroom activities, student society programmes and academic conferences, including opportunities for students and academics to contribute scholarly papers. The collaboration reflects the commitment of both institutions to providing students with meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional classroom. Through international engagement, students are exposed to different academic perspectives, cultures and approaches to learning, supporting the development of knowledge, skills and competencies needed in an increasingly interconnected world.
For the 11 UNIMAS students who participated in the programme, the visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with their Indonesian counterparts and lecturers. The participation of nine Corporate Management students and two Accounting students brought together perspectives from different academic backgrounds, enriching the overall learning experience.The collaboration further opens opportunities for future engagement between student societies at UNIMAS and UNIBI. Through joint activities and cross-border interaction, students can develop leadership, teamwork, communication and intercultural collaboration skills while building networks beyond their home institutions.
The UNIMAS–UNIBI engagement demonstrates that quality education extends beyond academic content. Through student-led presentations, international exposure, academic exchange and collaborative activities, students are given opportunities to learn, connect and develop skills that prepare them for an increasingly globalised world. The visit represents a meaningful step towards advancing SDG 4: Quality Education, while strengthening the academic relationship between UNIMAS and UNIBI. Moving forward, both institutions look forward to translating their commitment into sustained academic and student-centred activities that create lasting value for their university communities.