Written by Kumaresan A/L Kumaran, PhD candidate, FEB – UNIMAS
The Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) successfully organised the ILMxChange International Mobility Program 2026, a two-day international mobility initiative held from 20 to 21 August 2026, bringing together participants from Malaysia and Indonesia. The programme was led by Dr. Nur Zaimah binti Ubaidillah, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, UNIMAS, who spearheaded the initiative to create meaningful opportunities for international knowledge exchange, cultural engagement, community participation and academic collaboration.
The programme named “IlmXchange”, brought together 33 participants from three Indonesian institutions, namely Universitas Muhammadiyah Pontianak (22 participants), Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Raden Mas Said Surakarta, Faculty of Economics and Business (7 participants), and Universitas Nasional (4 participants), alongside participants from Faculty of Economics and Business, UNIMAS.
The two-day programme had included four key pillars such as Education Exchange, Cultural Exchange, Industrial and Educational Exposure, and Community Engagement through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Together, these pillars provided participants with opportunities to learn from different academic and cultural backgrounds while developing a stronger sense of social responsibility and international collaboration.
Sharing Knowledge Beyond Borders
A key component of ILMxChange 2026 was the Education Exchange, which provided a platform for students and academic representatives to share knowledge, ideas and experiences across different educational and national contexts.
The knowledge-sharing sessions explored contemporary issues in business and marketing, including tourism marketing, AI-driven e-commerce and Economics of Education. These discussions allowed participants to exchange perspectives on how education, technology and innovation contribute to the development of individuals, businesses and society.
The sharing on Economics of Education also encouraged participants to understand the broader value of education, particularly how investment in knowledge and skills can support personal development, employability and economic growth. The exchange demonstrated that learning does not take place only within lecture halls. Through interaction with peers from different countries, participants were able to compare perspectives, share experiences and gain new insights beyond the boundaries of their own institutions.
Celebrating Culture Through Mutual Exchange
The Cultural Exchange at Kampung Boyan, Kuching became one of the highlights of the programme, bringing together Malaysian and Indonesian participants in an atmosphere of friendship and mutual appreciation. As part of the exchange, the Indonesian delegation shared elements of their cultural heritage through traditional dance and storytelling, providing participants with an opportunity to experience the traditions, narratives and cultural identity of Indonesia.
The programme also provided an opportunity for Sarawak’s cultural heritage to be introduced to the visiting delegation. The residents of Kampung Boyan also shared their culture with the participants through traditional performances of Silat, Bermukun and Bernopeng. This gave the Indonesian delegation a chance to experience and appreciate the unique cultural traditions of Sarawak.
The cultural exchange demonstrated that international mobility is not simply about travelling to another country or visiting another institution. More importantly, it creates opportunities for people from different backgrounds to share their stories, appreciate one another’s traditions and recognise the similarities and differences that make each culture unique. Through this two-way exchange, ILMxChange 2026 highlighted how cultural diversity can become a bridge for friendship, understanding and stronger international relationships.
Giving Back Through Community Engagement
The programme also incorporated a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community engagement activity at Kampung Boyan, where participants took part in a Gotong-Royong activity together with the local community.
The activity encouraged participants to move beyond the role of visitors and become active contributors to the community. Working alongside local residents, the participants experienced the spirit of cooperation and collective responsibility that lies at the heart of the Malaysian Gotong-Royong tradition. For the international participants, the activity also provided a meaningful opportunity to understand community life in Sarawak through direct interaction with local residents.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The programme further incorporated industrial and educational exposure through visits to the Sarawak Science Centre and the Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum.
These visits allowed participants to connect academic knowledge with real-world experiences, while gaining greater appreciation of Sarawak’s scientific, industrial and historical development. The combination of educational visits, knowledge-sharing sessions, cultural activities and community engagement provided participants with a more holistic international mobility experience.
Advancing Sustainable Development Through International Mobility
ILMxChange International Mobility Program 2026 also contributed towards four United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 4: Quality Education was supported through knowledge-sharing sessions, experiential learning and international academic exchange. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities was reflected through community engagement at Kampung Boyan and exposure to Sarawak’s cultural and industrial heritage. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions was promoted through intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among participants from different national and institutional backgrounds. Finally, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals was advanced through collaboration between higher education institutions from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Ultimately, ILMxChange 2026 demonstrated that international mobility can be more than an academic journey. It can serve as a platform for sharing ilmu, celebrating culture, serving communities and building lasting partnerships across borders. Through the spirit of Ilmu Exchange, the programme brought together education, culture, community and collaboration demonstrating that when young people from different nations learn and work together, they do not simply exchange knowledge; they build understanding, friendship and a stronger foundation for future cooperation.
ILMxChange International Mobility Program 2026 — Exchanging Ilmu, Connecting Cultures, Building Partnerships.