USM PENANG, 11 November, 2024 – A group from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) comprising of six students and one lecturer, recently underwent a study tour at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The tour was part of the "Embracing The Heart of Community Care and Engagement Among Youth: A Collaboration On Reflective Small Scale Study" programme, held between the Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) at USM (RCE Penang) and UGM (RCE Yogyakarta)."

Held at UGM from 22 - 26 October 2024, the programme aimed to enhance journal-writing skills among students. UGM is a public research university located in Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This programme is part of the Nusa Makmur Study Campus (KPNM) initiative and involves various relevant activities.

Among the activities throughout the programme was the "Transformation of Community Work to Journal Writing."

Participants were introduced to effective writing techniques and how to organise community work experiences into academic articles for publication purposes. This is a crucial step in helping students understand how to document and disseminate their work to a wider audience.

Additionally, discussions with UGM student representatives and the Malaysian delegation took place on the second day. This day included discussions and meetings with representatives and lecturers from the UGM Community Service Department. Input and perspectives from student representatives were invaluable, adding a new dimension to the ongoing discussions.

Presentations and feedback from journal editors were also provided during their stay. On the third day, participants had the opportunity to present their work to senior editors from the Journal of Community Engagement published by UGM.

This session not only offered constructive feedback but also helped participants understand the criteria for professional journal publication. This feedback was instrumental in improving the quality of their writing.

The USM and UGM groups also collaborated on a field study on the third day. They continued with visits to tourist sites such as the Kraton Palace, Sonobudoyo Museum, and the Malioboro tourist area.

This activity provided participants the chance to gather data using the Gibbs Reflective Model. Through direct field experiences, participants gained the required data as well as deeper insights into the relationship between community work and the tourism sector.

The programme concluded with final presentations by participants and a closing ceremony. The programme has not only strengthened academic journal writing skills but also built valuable networks between USM and UGM.

This programme has demonstrated the effectiveness of transforming community work into journal writing. This is an important step towards enhancing the quality of research and community engagement at both institutions.

UGM is one of the oldest and largest higher education institutions in the country, recognised as one of the best universities in Indonesia. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, UGM is ranked second in Indonesia and #263 in the world.

Text: Hakim Ramli and Fadzlin Najwa (RCE Penang@CGSS, USM)