USM, PENANG, 5 December 2025 — Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universitas Muslim Nusantara (UMN) Al-Washliyah, Indonesia, carried out a series of joint activities themed International Knowledge Transfer and Research Collaboration on Education, Socio Economic Empowerment and UNESCO Recognised Heritage, through a programme held in Penang and Melaka from 16 to 21 November 2025, marking a continued expansion of cross border partnership following a similar initiative in Negeri Sembilan in 2024.

Central to this year’s collaboration was the downstreaming of research outputs and knowledge sharing activities delivered through school based outreach sessions jointly implemented by academic teams from both universities, which brought together experts across education, social sciences and cultural studies.

The UMN Al-Washliyah Community Service and Research Team was represented by Dr Firmansyah, M.Si, Dr. KRT Hardi Mulyono, MSi, Asnarni Lubis, M.Pd, Nazriani Lubis, M.Hum and Rini Fadhillah Putri, M.Hum, who also acted on behalf of Dian Habibi, M.P, Amanda Syahri Nasution, M.Pd and Rahmadi Ali representing Lisa Septia Br. Ginting and Dr. Juliandi Siregar, with additional academic support provided by teams led by Sujarwo, M.Pd, Dr. Rizqy Fadhlina Putri, M.Si and Dr. Muhammad Hilman Fikri, M.Si, working alongside their counterparts from the School of Social Sciences USM including Dr. Muhammad Febriansyah Project Leader, Associate Professor Mohammad Shaharuddin Samsurijan and Dr. Mahatir Yahaya.

The programme began with a visit to Sanggar Bimbingan Belajar in Bukit Jambul, a community learning centre for undocumented children operated by Permai Penang and supported by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia KJRI Penang, followed by an exploration of UNESCO listed heritage zones in Georgetown in line with the programme’s focus on cultural appreciation and community based learning.

In Melaka, the delegation conducted knowledge transfer sessions at Sekolah Kebangsaan Malim and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tun Tijah, where educators from both countries shared insights on curriculum development, special education approaches and student centred pedagogies, while engaging directly with students in Malaysia’s Special Education Integrated Programme PPKI to strengthen understanding of inclusive education practices.

A key component of the programme was the visit to the Melaka Halal Hub in Serkam, Malaysia’s recognised halal industrial ecosystem for SMEs, where academics met with halal entrepreneurs, gaining practical exposure to product development, certification processes and potential areas for joint research in Islamic economics and halal industry management.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Dean of the School of Social Sciences USM, Associate Professor Mohammad Shaharuddin Samsurijan, highlighted the importance of sustained international partnerships for advancing community engagement and scholarly development, while Asnarni Nazaruddin Lubis, S.Pd, M.Pd, representing UMN Al Washliyah, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to future cooperation in global community service, applied research and culturally grounded academic initiatives.

Text: Dr. Muhammad Febriansyah, School of Social Sciences/Editing: Shafinaz Md Ismail/Photos: Asnarni Lubis & Nazriani Lubis