Semarang, October 2025 – The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to strengthen its international collaboration and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). One of the remarkable milestones in this commitment was the academic visit of Associate Professor (AP) Dr. Norma Alias from the Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), which took place from May 12 to 16, 2025.
Over the course of five days, a series of activities reflecting the synergy between education, research, and community engagement were successfully conducted. This collaboration not only emphasized academic excellence but also supported global educational equity and sustainable partnerships.
The program began with a community service initiative at SMIT Bina Amal Semarang, featuring an Expert Study session led by Dr. Tri Sri Noor Asih from FMIPA UNNES and AP Dr. Norma Alias. The discussion focused on ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among high school students—aligning with SDG 4 by promoting digital literacy and character-based education in the digital era.
In addition, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was organized to explore the development of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) as a means of expanding access to quality digital education. Drawing from her experience, AP Dr. Norma Alias shared valuable insights on designing community-oriented digital classes, highlighting the importance of inclusive and lifelong learning opportunities.
As part of academic enrichment, AP Dr. Norma Alias also delivered guest lectures for two courses: Numerical Methods and Statistical Computation. Her sessions—titled “Numerical Methods in Artificial Intelligence: Foundations and Applications” and “Statistical Computation in Artificial Intelligence: Principles, Methods, and Applications”—provided students with an international perspective on the integration of AI, data science, and applied mathematics.
Furthermore, a book preparation workshop was held to initiate collaborative scientific publications between UTM and FMIPA UNNES researchers. This academic exchange marks a significant step toward strengthening research partnerships that align with SDG 17, promoting cross-border collaboration and innovation.
The series of activities concluded with an FGD on the use of AI in research and learning, which generated innovative ideas for future educational transformation. This academic visit serves as a cornerstone for the long-term partnership between UNNES and UTM, reinforcing both institutions’ shared vision to advance sustainable education, research excellence, and global collaboration.
Through this international engagement, FMIPA UNNES reaffirms its role as a driving force in realizing SDG 4 and SDG 17, fostering knowledge exchange that empowers educators, students, and communities to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
