KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and its strategic partner Utsunomiya University Japan (UU) have carried out their student mobility programme virtually.
Unimas and UU were confident in emulating the normal EduTour programme which has been conducted since 2018 into a complete online version that was aptly named as e-EduTour2021.
In a statement, Unimas said the virtual programme was participated by 22 undergraduate students from UU and 10 from Unimas from various faculties from February 12 to 20 last month.
The programme started with a briefing on Feb 12 which was attended by Unimas deputy vice chancellor (Academic and International) Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit and UU executive and vice president of Research and Global Strategy, Professor Dr Natsuaki Tomohide.
Participants took part in various activities in the one-week programme which included English language lessons that delved into a wide range of themes.
“The classes were conducted online by instructors from the Faculty of Language and Communication whereby Unimas’ participants served as teaching assistants in the breakout sessions.
“They also made videos of the campus and Kuching city whilst incorporating live interactions with the UU participants, enabling them to explore Unimas’ campus along with its faculties and facilities as well as exploring Kuching city virtually,” it said.
Unimas added that the participants also had the opportunity to exchange information on cultures, traditions, cuisines, songs and dances through the activities conducted.
“Interactive question-and-answer sessions were conducted after each activity to enhance the understanding between participants from the two universities.
“Participants had the opportunity to teach and learn English, Bahasa Malaysia as well as Japanese,” it said.
The programme’s closing ceremony was broadcasted live from MyCapsule Space, the gamification and creative culture learning lab in Unimas.
Also present for the virtual closing ceremony were Unimas vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi and Professor Natsuaki Tomohide, Executive Director and Vice President Research and International Exchange, UU.
