International Collaboration Forum 4.0 makes a comeback

The Division of Community and International Networking (DCInterNET) once again organised the International Collaboration Forum for the fourth time on 12 November 2021 via Zoom.

Present at the forum were Deputy Party Secretary of the Part Committee, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Prof Dr He Bingwen, Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Yow Ho Kwang, DCInterNet Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn and Deputy Director Dr Chen, I-Chi, along with staff and participants.

The International Collaboration Forum 4.0 was joined by seven international universities, namely Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia; Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, China; Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia; Mariano Marcos State University, Philippines; National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan; Petra Christian University, Indonesia and University of Batangas, Philippines. The forum, which focused on the E-Academic Mobility project (EAMP), aimed to move beyond borders to bring a global perspective to the students, initiate thought-provoking discussion on international topics and develop academic networks for social and professional benefits.

Prof Yow graced the forum with an opening speech. He said, “This is our fourth International Collaboration Forum that we have conducted since the year 2020. Last year, the first and second International Collaboration Forum generated fruitful discussion on ways and measures partner universities used to manage the Covid-19 crisis and virtual international collaboration activities that have been carried out during the pandemic. In April 2021, we had our third forum which initiated three virtual study tours focusing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

He added, “This round, the forum focuses on cyber classroom and international lecture series and holds even more meaning now as we reflect on our heavy reliance on advances in technology, especially during the last two years of the pandemic which made almost the whole world work from home during the lockdown. It has taught us the fragility of life and the need for a harmonious balance with man and nature and other living beings as well as the respective boundaries of each entity for the sustainability of all resources. Fortunately for us, we have this forum as a launching pad to draw more international views and understand what the cyber classroom and international lecture series are and how this e-learning brings impacts to the students. Through this forum, we will be able to enhance the knowledge of our next generation to acquire new ideas and move beyond the borders and bring a global perspective to the students.”

Session one started with a fruitful sharing by UTAR Centre for Media and Communication Research Chairperson Dr Sharon Jacqueline Albert Wilson on "Cyber classroom in a cross-cultural setting: Approaching teaching and learning androgogicaly". It was followed by another sharing by Director of ITS Global Engagement for Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Dr Maria Anityasari on “ITS Guest Lecture Series (GLS) on SDGs: Learning path for SDGs literacy.”

Session two was a breakout session, where participating universities were divided into five sub-groups. The session saw room one to room four discussing on “Cyber classroom” while room five discussed on “International Lecture Series”.

Room one was chaired by UTAR Head of Department for Department of Surgery Clinical Assoc Prof Dr Yan Naing Soe and the discussion was led by Atma Jaya Catholic University. They shared updates on endoscopic management of gastrointestinal bleeding and Surgical Management of Low Rectal Cancer, and discussed the changing trends of Safe Surgery Guidelines. Room two was chaired by Head of Department for Department of Physiotherapy Muhammad Noh Zulfikri bin Mohd Jamali and the discussion was led by National Changhua University of Education. They shared updates on sports injuries management. Room three and four was chaired by Head of Programme for Clinical TCM Programme Dr Judick Yap Wei Hoong, lecturer of Department of Chinese Medicine Dr Teh Siew Hoon and the discussion was led by Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine. They discussed about the Covid-19, Chinese Medicine in Malaysia and China as well as the history of Chinese Medicine respectively. Room five was led by Dr Lai and it saw discussions held between Petra Christian University, University of Batangas, Mariano Marcos State University, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember and UTAR.

The forum ended with a closing remark by Dr Chen. She thanked the participants and said, “On behalf of UTAR, we would like to thank all participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Malaysia for joining this meaningful international forum. Thank you very much for all your support and the time in making this forum possible. This is our 4th International Collaboration Forum. Despite the pandemic, we still had the chance to work together virtually and we look forward to meeting everyone physically very soon.”