Written by Lee Poh Kuan, HOD Media and Publicity, EICW 4.0
The Econspire International Cultural Week (EICW) 4.0 was successfully held from 27 September to 3 October 2026 in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Organised by the Persatuan Mahasiswa Fakulti Ekonomi dan Perniagaan (PERFEP) in collaboration with the Postgraduate Association of Faculty of Economics and Business (PAFEB), the international mobility programme brought a delegation of 30 committee members and 3 advisors from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), to Universitas Tanjungpura (UNTAN) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Pontianak (UMP).
The programme aimed to promote academic exchange, cultural understanding, and community engagement, while strengthening connections and fostering meaningful relationships between students from Malaysia and Indonesia.
UNIMAS delegation at the welcoming dinner hosted by the City Mayor of Pontianak
The delegation travelled from Kuching via the Tebedu–Entikong border and was welcomed on the first evening at a dinner hosted by the City Mayor of Pontianak. The official opening ceremony was held the following day at UNTAN, attended by the Deans of FEB UNTAN and FEB UNIMAS. The programme continued with a keynote address by Dr. Ir. H. Amirullah, M.A Sekretaris Daarah Kota Pontianak, followed by a Global Classroom session featuring lectures by Dr. Mohd Sabrun bin Ibrahim from FEB UNIMAS and Dr Helma, manager of International Class and International Affairs from UNTAN.
On the third day, participants visited Bank Indonesia for sharing sessions on the role of Bank Indonesia in maintaining monetary stability and supporting the West Kalimantan economy. This was followed by a benchmarking session in FEB UNTAN involving BEM FEB UNTAN, the International Student Committee (ISC) and PERFEP, where the three student organisations exchanged insights on programme management and student engagement.
Delegates during the sharing session at Bank Indonesia & Global Classroom
Community engagement formed a key component of the programme. At SD 03 Pontianak Selatan, the delegation conducted a mini market role-play activity that introduced primary school pupils to basic economic concepts such as money, prices and trade. The delegation also visited Panti Asuhan Ahmad Yani, where they carried out interactive activities with the children and contributed donations of stationery and daily essentials.
Delegates with pupils of SD 03 & Panti Asuhan
In collaboration with UMP, the delegation organised EDUBRIDGE: UNIMAS × UMP, a cultural exchange session in which UMP students learned Malaysian traditional dance and tried on traditional attire. Participants from both countries also worked in mixed groups to present international business ideas at UNTAN. The programme concluded with cultural visits to Rumah Radakng, Rumah Melayu and Masjid Mujahidin, a Kapuas River cruise, and a farewell dinner at UNTAN featuring speeches, the presentation of certificates and an exchange of souvenirs.
Participants of EICW 4.0 at the farewell dinner at UNTAN
“Seeing this programme come together successfully in collaboration with UNTAN and UMP is something I will always be grateful for,” said Jayshilan A/L Kaliyani, Program Director of EICW 4.0. PERFEP extends its sincere appreciation to FEB UNTAN, UMP, the City Mayor of Pontianak, Bank Indonesia, SD 03 Pontianak Selatan, Panti Asuhan Ahmad Yani, the Dean of FEB UNIMAS and all advisors for their support. EICW 4.0 reflects FEB UNIMAS’s continued commitment to internationalisation and strengthens academic and cultural ties between Malaysia and Indonesia.