The School of Distance Education (PPPJJ), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), together with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD), has marked another new phase of strategic academic cooperation through the SYNAPSE 2026 Academic and Cultural Mobility Programme in Bandung, Indonesia.
The programme, held in hybrid format from 17 August to 4 September 2026, brought together academics and students from both institutions through various activities in academics, research, technology, sustainability, and cultural exchange.
One of the main highlights of SYNAPSE 2026 was exploring collaboration opportunities in offering Open and Distance Learning (ODL) for Physics at FMIPA UNPAD.
In this effort, PPPJJ USM shared its expertise and best practices in online teaching and learning as a benchmark in developing an ODL model suitable for future education needs.
The programme also gave the USM delegation, led by Ts. Dr. Nor Zakiah Yahaya with seven students from different disciplines, practical exposure through visits and activities at Finder U Research Laboratory, UNPAD.
The SYNAPSE Seminar 2026 further strengthened knowledge sharing by providing a platform for the presentation of research related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering the exchange of ideas between academics and students from both universities.
Community service was also an important part of the programme, with students engaging directly with the local community at Desa Binaan Kencana Asih Pedas.
Through the activity “Waste Becomes Blessing”, participants applied knowledge on waste processing, waste management, and sustainable energy technology in the local community context. This initiative showed how science and technology can move from academic and laboratory spaces to real solutions at the grassroots level.
SYNAPSE 2026 also highlighted cultural exchange when the USM delegation introduced the heritage of Boria Pulau Pinang to the UNPAD academic community.
The programme also included discussions on Undi18 (youth voting rights in Malaysia), as well as sharing sessions by PPPJJ USM students about their challenges and strategies in balancing career, family, and studies through ODL.
According to Nor Zakiah, a Physics Lecturer at PPPJJ, international mobility experiences prove that the flexibility of ODL opens wide opportunities for students to build global competencies.
“This international exposure shows that the ODL system at USM can produce globally competitive students without compromising academic quality or their personal and career responsibilities.”
SYNAPSE 2026 proves that the flexibility of distance education is not a barrier to excellence, but instead a driver of mobility, innovation, knowledge sharing, and international networking.
Congratulations to the entire PPPJJ USM delegation for their commitment and achievements in raising USM’s name on the international stage!