Written by Dr Nicholas Gani
The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), hosted a delegation from Tokai University, Japan, for a special talk and academic engagement session on 1 September 2026. The visit formed part of the Solar Edutourism for Japanese Students (SEJaTi) programme, jointly organised by the Faculty of Engineering (FE) and FSSH.
Held from 29 August to 5 September 2026, the SEJaTi programme brought together participants from UNIMAS and Tokai University through a series of academic, cultural and community-based activities in different parts of Sarawak. The Tokai University delegation comprised 18 students from the fields of Political Science and International Relations, accompanied by Professor Hiroyuki Fujimaki and Associate Professor Tomohiro Fukuda.
The UNIMAS team involved in the programme included Associate Professor Ir. Dr Mohd Danial bin Ibrahim, Dr Norlida binti Jamil, Dr Nur Alia Athirah binti Mohtadzar and Mr Abdul Hafiz bin Abdul Karim from FE, together with Dr Nicholas Gani and Dr Christopher Perumal from FSSH, as well as eight student facilitators from both faculties. They participated as organisers and facilitators throughout the programme, supporting the Japanese students’ academic, cultural and community-based learning activities.
The highlight of the delegation’s visit to FSSH was a talk entitled ‘Politics and Governance in Malaysia: The Sarawak Dimension’, delivered by Mr Mohd Shazani Masri. The talk introduced the participants to Malaysia’s political and administrative system, with particular attention given to Sarawak’s distinctive historical and political position within the Malaysian federation.
The session provided the visiting students with an opportunity to consider how Malaysia’s federal system operates in practice and how Sarawak’s political development has been shaped by its particular historical and socio-cultural setting. The subject was especially relevant to the participants’ academic backgrounds and complemented their broader learning experiences during the SEJaTi programme.
Representing FSSH at the session were Dr Hafizan Mohamad Naim, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate), and Associate Professor Dr Wong Swee Kiong, Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation). The talk was followed by a discussion between representatives of UNIMAS and Tokai University on opportunities for further academic cooperation and student mobility between the two institutions.
Beyond the university campus, the participants’ itinerary included visits to local communities, cultural and historical sites, and public institutions in the Kuching Division. Through these activities, SEJaTi combined academic learning with direct exposure to Sarawak’s communities, cultural diversity, development experiences and changing landscape.
The successful visit to FSSH strengthened the continuing relationship between UNIMAS and Tokai University and opened further possibilities for academic exchange and future collaboration. As ‘a partner for social change’, FSSH remains committed to creating meaningful international learning experiences and fostering dialogue across different cultural and academic settings.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Change