Six students from the Graduate School of Business (GSB), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), alongside academic Professor Dr. Salmi Mohd Isa, participated in the Sustainable Business Development (SBD) 2026 Summer Course at IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia, held from 9 to 16 August 2026.
The mobility obtained the support of the Mobility Matching Fund (MOMAF) 2026, with matching support from the USM International Office and the USM Graduate School of Business (GSB). The funding provided the students with an opportunity to gain international exposure, engage with peers from different countries, and experience learning beyond the university campus.
The SBD 2026 programme brought together participants from eight countries—Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Yemen, Pakistan, Brunei, Singapore, and Myanmar—under the theme “Responsible Innovation in MSMEs for Sustainable Business.”
Learning Beyond Borders
The programme featured international lectures on sustainable business, responsible innovation, MSME development, and related business topics, offering students perspectives from academics and participants from different countries. Professor Dr. Salmi also contributed to the programme as one of the lecturers, strengthening USM's academic presence within the international programme.
The academic sessions were complemented by group projects, presentations, and experiential learning. A key highlight was the MSME field study in Sukabumi, with site visits to Kecap Samyu, Bukit Baros Cheese Factory, and Mochi Kaswari Lampion. These visits gave students firsthand exposure to local MSME operations and sustainable production practices, allowing them to connect academic learning with real-world business.
The mobility also included nature camping at Bukit Baros and traditional “17 Agustusan” cultural games, creating opportunities for international networking, teamwork, and cultural exchange.
USM Students Excel
The USM delegation achieved five awards during the programme:
- Best Group Presenter: Munieswaran
- Best Group Poster: Nur Shuhada Shahrudin
- Best Group Social Media Content: Nik Nur Azhani Anuar
- Best Individual Social Media Reporter: Joanne Beh Yan Yi
- Best Student Award: Nur Shuhada Shahrudin
The achievements reflect the students' active participation, creativity, teamwork, and confidence in an international environment.
“They Became Ambassadors of USM”
Reflecting on the students' participation, Professor Dr. Salmi Mohd Isa expressed her happiness and pride in seeing the students embrace the experience wholeheartedly.
“I am very happy and proud of our students. They really gave their all throughout the programme, in the academic sessions, group activities, field visits and competitions. More importantly, they represented USM with confidence and became ambassadors of the university,” said Professor Dr. Salmi.
She added: “The awards are certainly something to celebrate, but the broader perspectives, confidence, international friendships and experiences they gained are equally valuable. I hope this experience will inspire them to pursue more international opportunities in the future.”
From Mobility to Meaningful Impact
For the participating students, the experience extended beyond attending an overseas programme. It gave them the opportunity to learn from international academics, collaborate with peers from eight countries, observe real MSME practices, experience Indonesian culture, and proudly represent USM.
The SBD 2026 experience highlights the value of the MOMAF matching grant with PTJ support in enabling international student mobility. Through the support of the USM International Office and GSB, students were able to step beyond their familiar learning environment and gain greater confidence, international exposure, and a broader global perspective. For these six students, the mobility was more than a journey to Indonesia—it was an opportunity to learn, connect, grow, and bring the USM name to the international stage.