Student Mobility Program

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STUDENT MOBILITY PROGRAMS

TOWARDS THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE AND PERSONALITY OF
STUDENTS
Muhammad Fahmi Mike Abdullah1
Anuar Ahmad2
Mohd Fairul Surian3
Salina Abdul Samad4
ABSTRACT
This paper presents the result of the effectiveness and the implementation of
student mobility program towards the learning experience and personality
development of students quantitatively through feedbacks from the students. The
students emphasized on the elements of learning development or research and
cultural sharing between UKM students and international students while
participating in mobility programs abroad (outbound). Students can feel the
differences in the teaching and learning systems abroad as compared to that of our
country, regardless of the field of research or study, besides having to learn their
local culture, which has actually become the uniqueness in their experience.
Observations and appreciation methods applied, alongside the relationship with
the lecturers, students and the local community had influenced the atmosphere of
this experience. Mobility within the country (inbound) is very well responded by
students from both in and outside the country with a high number of entries. The
mixture of both international and local students has given something different in
the students learning sessions where communication skills and interaction with
one another became an important platform in both academic and personality
development of students through this program. The involvement of UKM
research centres in this program has also helped to promote university researches
to the students. This study has found out that students responded very positively
towards this program, which they think has provided them the opportunity to
increase their level of confidence, experience of learning and personality in an
effort of meeting the challenges of globalization today.

Assistant Registrar, International Relations Office, UKM

College Master of Ibu Zain International Student House UKM and Assistant Director of College Academic,
Centre for Students Advancement, UKM
3
Research Assistant, International Relations Office
4
Director, International Relations Office
2

Muhammad Fahmi Mike Abdullah

AIM
This paper has aimed to discuss on the effectiveness of the Student Mobility
Programs towards the students learning experience and personality. The three
main issues that will be highlighted in this paper are;
a) What are the elements of learning development, research and cultural
sharing that are being inculcated through the Student Mobility Programs?
b) Are the approaches carried out through the Student Mobility Programs
suitable and effective in improving the soft skills of students?
c) What are the reactions or responses of the students towards the programs
carried out?
INTRODUCTION
On the 21st of July 2009, the Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, Dato Seri
Mohd Khaled Nordin in his speech at the seminar Enhancing Graduate
Employability: Issues, Concerns and The Way Forward explains the need for
students to be equipped with various components of soft skills before they begin
to enter the working world. A quotation of his speech is as follow:
Employability from the perspective of Higher Education Institutions is
therefore about producing graduates who are capable and able, and these
impacts upon all areas of university life, in terms of the delivery of
academic programs and extra curricula activities. Thus, the roles of
Higher Education Institutions in order to enhance graduate employability
embedded into two main components: curriculum and co-curriculum. The
main and fundamental questions to be answered by us are whether those
two components are able to help develop a strong character of the
graduate
Dato Seri Khaled Nordin (2009)
Tan Sri Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin, Vice Chancellor of Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia through the publication of the book Mengilham Harapan,
Mencipta Masa Depan; Pengalaman Pembelajaran Di UKM5 points out that
UKM graduates must be one who is capable of bringing Bahasa Melayu and the
knowledge of national identity to the whole world. To achieve this purpose,
rooms for students to be enriched with the experience of internationalization have
to be created in UKM. Some of the measures suggested to increase student
mobility programs include:

m/s

Student Mobility Program

Twinning programs for undergraduates.

Industrial training and research attachments abroad.
Participation in international level competitions.

In response to this challenge, the Office of International Relations UKM (PHA)

has been managing Student Mobility Programs for UKM students. Moreover, in
2009, a Mobility Unit was established under PHA to smoothen the running of the
program. Student Mobility Programs were organized to support the objective to
improve the strategic cooperation network with international institutions. This
program involves students who are given the opportunity to experience the
learning and research environment out of the country and at the same time
improving the effectiveness of learning culture sharing process between the two
institutions involved. There are two types of mobility, namely the inbound
mobility and the outbound mobility. Through the Mobility Unit, various programs
and funds for student internationalization have been introduced:

Outbound Mobility Fund for short-term student exchange programs.

Outbound Mobility Fund for student research attachment programs.
Outbound Mobility fund for student industrial training programs.
Summer Camp program which is the Inbound Mobility Programs.
Students exchange programs through the acceptance of international
students who are interested to conduct academic based activities in UKM.

Besides introducing mobility programs and funds, PHA is also very active in
securing funds from other countries in order to allow UKM students to participate
in various programs at the international level. This is initiated through the
cooperation with international bodies such as European Union (EU), Association
of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), ASEAN University Network
(AUN), University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) and also cooperation
with overseas universities. This can be seen from the success of UKM in securing
a few mobility funds such as;

Prime Minister Initiative (PMI2) Fund from United Kingdom.

Erasmus Mundus Fund from European Union.
OUTBOUND MOBILITY PROGRAM

Introduction
Outbound Mobility is a form of learning program for the local students to go
abroad and UKM students will be selected according to specific criteria and based
on the recommendation from Faculty or Institute before being sent to

Muhammad Fahmi Mike Abdullah

international universities. The international universities have strategic relationship

with UKM such as having a MoU or MoA with UKM. Selected students will
undergo a learning process at the chosen university in the time span between three
weeks to two semesters. This mobility program involves credit transfer for
undergraduate students and thus assessment will be done to their studies. For
post-graduate students, the attachment to carry out research is very much
emphasized.
Through this program, students can apply for funds to cover their expenses that
will be used throughout the program. Programs that can be considered to receive
mobility funds are;

Twinning programs for undergraduates.

Short-term student exchange programs (at least three weeks).
Clinical attachments abroad.
Industrial trainings abroad.
Research attachments abroad (post-graduates only).

Among the objectives of the Student mobility program (Outbound) include;

a) To expand the learning experience for UKM students;
b) To provide opportunities to students to deepen their understanding
towards global issues and perspectives.
c) To enable students to apply and make into practice the knowledge they
have acquired.
d) To train students to be young ambassadors of UKM and Malaysia.
e) To produce graduates who are competent, one who triggers knowledge
and also the scholarly catalyst being respected within the country and also
the global society.

Student Mobility Program

Figure 1
Method of Execution
Figure 1 provides a picture of the processes involved in the application for student
mobility funds. The search for a location to carry out the program and all
necessary preparations for going overseas will be done by the students
themselves. Through this process, students can improve their communication
skills, research and information searching skills using technology. This process is
considered important because through this way, students can communicate
directly with various parties which would be involved with the program the
students are going to carry out. The role of PHA is that of an advisor or to provide
guidance to students on overseas preparations. Also, PHA students who have
completed with the respective programs are required to have a slot of sharing of

Muhammad Fahmi Mike Abdullah

experience through writing, presentations, international promotion exhibitions

and book publications.
One example is by the 20 students from the Faculty of Education who have
completed their Industrial Attachment in Indonesia in May 2009. These teacher
trainees have successfully completed their industrial attachments in Indonesia and
subsequently published a book "Program Mobiliti Latihan Mengajar Di Luar
Negara : Satu Perkongsian." Through the publication of this book, other students
are further motivated to participate in this program in near future. This is proven
by a new initiative by eight students from the Faculty of Education who then
carried out an Intensive Arabic Language Course in Sana'a University, Yemen.
Student Testimonials
"It was a valuable experience and useful indeed because from this experience I
got to learn many new things, especially in expanding the graduate research I'm
working on. Although the duration of my stay abroad was only two months, I had
the opportunity to experience the culture of another country other than Malaysia.
It is very important for students because it helps students to think in a more
mature manner and learn to acquire skills other than the existing scope of
learning. From this experience as well, I have learnt to manage my life when I
was in a different atmosphere and culture.
Maisarah Yusoff, Faculty of Science and Technology, UKM. (18 January - 18 March 2010),
University of East Anglia, UK.

"There are many benefits which I have gained from this program, among them
are: 1) The opportunity to learn in a different learning system, 2) Discovering the
local culture of Australia, 3) Increasing self-confidence and independence, 4)
Increasing the experience in using new technologies in conducting research.
There is a variety of sweet and bitter experience that I have gone through along
the course of this program. Memorable experience will certainly be remembered
and cherished throughout my life. Although the bitter experience was not much as
compared to the memorable one, but the impact of it has certainly turned me into
a more independent person and to understand life better."
Rozila Sumardi, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. (22 February - 5 July 2009), Flinders
University, Australia.

It is a good program and should be joined by UKM students. A great opportunity

to see the world out there. I enjoyed my stay, and found it very beneficial both
professionally and personally to experience a different research environment and
culture.
Nur Maizura Mohd Said, Faculty of Information Science And Technology. (16 October 2008 - 30
Jan 2009), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

Student Mobility Program

INBOUND MOBILITY PROGRAM

Introduction
Inbound mobility is a knowledge-sharing activity which incorporates both local
and international students, enabling them to experience the process of learning
and research in UKM. The program is known as 'UKM-Global Student Mobility
Partnerships' conducted by PHA in collaboration with the Faculty of Science &
Technology (FST), Institute for Environment & Development (LESTARI) and the
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK). Two courses are offered to
the participants, which are the 'Sustainability of Tropical Heritage' and
'Indigenous Communities of Malaysia'. Half of the participants are invited from
universities abroad to participate in the program and given an opportunity to
interact with local students collectively within a month. They will attend lectures
and experience field work together in attractive locations throughout Malaysia.
Then, they will present the results of the research to their respective project
supervisors.
Method of Execution
Inbound Mobility Program combines both theory and practical elements in the
course of the academic program. Below is a description of how the course flows;
1. Lecture (1 week)
Lecture sessions will be held for a week before the students carry out field work
in UKM research sites. The lectures are essential to equip students with the basic
knowledge before they carry out on-site research. Among some of the topics of
the lectures include Introducing Culture, Culture in a Plural Society, The
Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia, Geology & Landscape, Biodiversity
Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity.
2. Field work (2 weeks)
Students will have the opportunity to see for themselves the areas of study and
practically study the natural resources of Malaysia and also the indigenous
communities. Some of the study sites being visited include Lake Chini, Taman
Negara Tahan, Langkawi, Sabah Marine Park and Mount Kinabalu.
3. Presentation (1 Week)
Students will present their findings according to the given topic.
Apart from the learning sessions, students also have the opportunity to appreciate
the richness of culture and arts of Malaysia through the cultural activities
organized throughout the program.

Muhammad Fahmi Mike Abdullah

Student Testimonials
Although it seems like four weeks have passed way more quickly at home, Im
not ready to be done in Malaysia. I have met so many wonderful people from all
over the world, and it is so sad that I will most likely never see most of them
again. I wish I could bring them all back with me to America! That aside, I have
learned so much from my time here. Malaysia is so unlike anywhere I have ever
been before. The people are so friendly and accommodating, and the country is
beautiful, albeit way hotter than Im used to. I will never forget the things I saw
here or the friends I made, and I am so glad that I was able to have this
opportunity. Thank you UKM!!
Allyson Macka, Stevens Institute of Technology. UKM-Global Student Mobility Partnerships
Programme (28 June 23 July 2010)

Overall, this Mobility program really allows me to learn a lot of knowledge and
at the same time permit me to gain tons of experience where I may not be able to
put in my life if I never joined this program. Besides learning things from the
lecture or fieldwork, I have learned a lot of foreign culture, tradition, and attitude
during this program. I also get to understand the different accents and words
between British, American and also the Aussie English. This is really a wonderful
and successful program which enables us to have a very close interaction between
international and local students.
Sandra Loke, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. UKM-Global Student Mobility Partnerships
Programme (28 June 23 July 2010)

Recommend this programme to my friends in UKM is absolutely what I will do

after joining this programme. I found this programme interesting besides learning
in class and outdoors. I enjoyed the scenery at every place I went. I enjoyed every
culture the community practiced. I enjoyed the bond between the students which
gets stronger by days. I enjoyed the food I ate and rooms I stayed in throughout
this 1 month. For me, this one month is an extraordinary month I experienced
because I never joined any programme that able to make me feel so proud of.
Joining this programme was an eye opening experience and I believe that it
applies not only for me but for everyone else.
Ang Swee Boon, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. UKM-Global Student Mobility Partnerships
Programme (28 June 23 July 2010)

The most unforgettable experience in the programme is to know all the friends
that I made from this program. I now have friends from Australia, America,
Japan and new friends from UKM as well. It is a one of the most valuable
experience for me. As we live in the same hostel building so the close proximity
makes us bond even closer. The night before the programme ends, each of the
local students got a surprise box which contains notes from the international
student. Notes about our experience with them and words that makes us feel so
sad for having to let them go back to their home. It is the sweetest gift from them
and in turn the local students treat them to steamboat/BBQ dinner as a celebration

Student Mobility Program

of friendship between us. And even after the programme end, we still keep in
touch with each other via email and Facebook.
Siti Munira Ismail, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. UKM-Global Student Mobility Partnerships
Programme (28 June 23 July 2010)

Program Success
One indicator of success for the mobility program is the increase of the number of
students enrolled in the mobility program.

Figure 2

Based on statistics as shown in Figure 2, the number of students who

enrolled in Outbound Mobility Program increased dramatically from year
2007 to 2009. This shows that students are aware of the importance of the
element of internationalization in improving their ability, soft skills and
employability.

Muhammad Fahmi Mike Abdullah

Figure 3
Figure 3 is the statistics of students enrolled in Inbound Mobility Program from
year 2009 to 2010.
CONCLUSION
"The Holistic Experiential Learning Policy" of UKM has outlined the educational
goal "To produce graduates who are confident, possess leadership skills and
national identity in the international arena." To achieve this goal, the learning
environment is something very critical and needs to be emphasized. The rapid
advancement of technology developments and the entry of international
companies into the domestic market resulted in the increasing competition in the
job arena. Graduates could no longer rely on academic qualifications alone, but
should prepare themselves holistically in terms of academic as well as soft skills.
Through the internationalization programs, students are able to sharpen their
skills in the required fields be it in the academic competition, or in the form of
complete soft skills for the preparation of future career path. Hence,
improvements and an increasing number of programs in the form of mobility is
important and it is hoped that through programs like these, UKM is able to
produce graduates with quality, as desired by employers and the society as a
whole.

Student Mobility Program

REFERENCES
Nik Safiah Nik Ismail. 2010. Soft Skills: The What, The Why, The How.
Pusat Pembangunan Akademik. 2010. Mengilham Harapan, Mencipta Masa
Depan : Pengalaman Pembelajaran Di UKM
Fakulti Pendidikan UKM. 2010. Program Mobiliti Latihan Mengajar Di Luar
Negara : Satu Perkongsian.