Jeddah, October 28, 2025 — The Faculty of Education and Psychology (FIPP), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), conducted an academic visit as part of the Visiting Researcher Program at King Abdul Aziz University (KAU), one of the world’s leading universities ranked 149th in the QS World University Rankings.
The delegation was led by Farid Ahmadi, S.Kom., M.Kom., Ph.D, Vice Dean I for Academic and Student Affairs of FIPP UNNES, accompanied by research team members Dr. Wulan Aulia Azizah, S.Pd., M.Pd. and Achmad Miftachul ‘Ilmi, S.Pd., M.Pd.
In this research initiative, UNNES collaborates with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Jamal Alyamani from King Abdul Aziz University as an international research partner. The collaboration integrates Cognitive Load Theory, Virtual Reality (VR) technology, and gamification approaches in the context of ethnoscience-based learning to develop digital learning media that are innovative, interactive, and culturally grounded.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to contribute to the development of meaningful, engaging, and culturally relevant learning experiences by utilizing advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality,” said Farid Ahmadi, S.Kom., M.Kom., Ph.D This activity marks an important milestone in strengthening academic diplomacy between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the fields of educational technology and pedagogical innovation. Furthermore, this research collaboration supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the development of innovative Virtual Reality– and gamification-based learning media to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the application of advanced technology in elementary education; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through the enhancement of international research collaboration between UNNES and King Abdul Aziz University.
