Semarang, July 14, 2025 — The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of Semarang State University (UNNES) once again strengthened its international academic engagement through the SULAM ANTARABANGSA SCE523 program, conducted as part of the International Classroom Symposium: Physics in Practice. This event was a collaborative effort between FMIPA UNNES and the Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia.
Held online on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. WIB, the symposium brought together students from the Wave course at UNNES, supervised by Dr. Ellianawati, M.Sc., and students from the SULAM program at UiTM, supervised by Puan Zulinda Ayu Zulkipli, M.Ed. More than 60 students from both institutions actively participated in this meaningful academic exchange.
During the event, UiTM students acted as organizing committee members, while UNNES students showcased the results of their physics projects. A total of 12 student groups from the Wave course presented outcomes of their inquiry-based practicums, applying project-based learning strategies in physics education.
The active engagement and enthusiasm of participants were evident throughout the presentations and discussion sessions. Despite minor challenges due to differing terminology in physics concepts, students from both countries successfully communicated and engaged in meaningful academic dialogue. This experience underscored how scientific language and collaborative spirit can transcend geographical and cultural barriers.
This activity is a clear manifestation of SDG 4: Quality Education, which promotes inclusive, equitable, and quality education as well as lifelong learning opportunities. By implementing student-centered learning approaches such as inquiry and project-based learning in a cross-cultural setting, the program provided students with the opportunity to enhance their scientific literacy, critical thinking, and global competence.
Furthermore, the collaboration between UNNES and UiTM exemplifies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasizes the importance of global partnerships in achieving sustainable development. The joint effort in organizing this international classroom initiative highlights how higher education institutions can collaborate across borders to advance educational innovation and global understanding.
Dr. Ellianawati expressed her deep appreciation for the students’ active participation and the excellent support from UiTM. She expressed hope that this initiative will become an annual event, expanding its scope to include a wider range of topics and involve more educational institutions worldwide.
The SULAM ANTARABANGSA SCE523 initiative not only enhanced students’ cross-cultural learning experiences but also served as tangible evidence of the global implementation of Indonesia’s Independent Learning–Independent Campus (MBKM) program, aligning with global educational and developmental goals.
