The year 2024 presented valuable opportunities for PUTRA International Centre (i-PUTRA) staff to broaden their global perspectives, forge new partnerships, and strengthen professional networks through international engagement. These global touchpoints not only expanded i-PUTRA’s visibility but also enhanced the Centre’s strategic role in internationalising UPM’s academic and cultural ecosystem.

From June 28 to July 3, 2024, Mr. Muhammad Syafiq Farhan Boo, Head of the Mobility Section at i-PUTRA, took part in a meaningful institutional visit to several higher education institutions in Guilin and Nanning, China.

The delegation was led by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Wong Tze Jin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Management, and Science (UPMKB), and joined by Dr. Alvin, senior lecturer at UPMKB. The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration in international research and mobility initiatives, focusing on student exchanges, summer programmes, internships, and staff engagement. Productive discussions were held with institutions including Guilin University of Aerospace Technology (GUAT), Guangxi University of Finance and Economics (GXUFE), and Nanning University (UNN), among others. These engagements marked a significant step forward in building academic bridges and future joint programmes between Malaysia and China.

In a separate initiative, Ms. Juliesafarina Mohd Janjang represented i-PUTRA at TUIASI’s International Staff Week, hosted by Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași, Romania, from October 28 to November 1, 2024. Centred on the theme “Effective Strategies for Sustainable Internationalisation,” the event gathered academic and administrative professionals from around the world to share best practices in international higher education.

Ms. Juliesafarina actively engaged in knowledge-sharing sessions on international student management, explored English-taught programmes, and connected with key partners, including the Institutional Project Coordinator for the INGENIUM Alliance consortium. One of the highlights was the LEGO Serious Play-based Innovations and Problem-Solving workshop, which sparked new ideas to be potentially applied at UPM. She also held promising discussions with Prof. Dr. Anton Ficai from the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest on possible academic collaborations.

From November 18 to 22, 2024, i-PUTRA was also represented at the Kanagawa University Partner Institution Faculty and Staff Exchange Program in Yokohama and MinatoMirai, Japan. This annual forum brought together 19 participants from 18 universities across 13 countries, providing a vibrant platform for global academic exchange and collaboration.

Mr. Amirul Afifi Mahfidz from i-PUTRA and Dr. Nur Aimi Nasuha Burhanuddin from UPM’s Faculty of Educational Studies contributed case studies and participated in discussions around university education, social engagement, internationalisation, and academia-industry collaboration. Sessions also included a presentation by Mr. Hiroto Sasaki, President of Well-Fed Inc. (a Kanagawa University-certified venture), a visit to FabLab MinatoMirai, and reflective sharing from students on their study abroad experiences.

The cultural dimension of the programme added depth to the engagement, with participants enjoying immersive experiences such as trying on yukata, joining Japanese language classes, touring Yokohama Port by boat, and exploring the historic city of Kamakura.

These international programmes have not only fostered rich cultural exchange and mutual understanding but also advanced i-PUTRA’s mission to build enduring global partnerships that benefit both staff and students. As 2024 closes, i-PUTRA remains committed to cultivating impactful collaborations and driving UPM’s internationalisation agenda forward in the years to come.

Date of Input: 10/07/2025 | Updated: 10/07/2025 | nurulshabila