By creating a global campus, local students at UTP gain an understanding of other cultures and help to broaden their horizon, critical in shaping global citizens, especially in an increasingly interconnected world.
THE value of international exposure for an undergraduate, whether through student exchange programmes, internships or in a vibrant, global campus cannot be understated.
Students and alumni speak of the impact these experiences had, from the richness these cross-cultural collaborations offer to the opportunities provided to mature and grow, work in and with diverse communities and cultures, enhance communication skills and make lifelong friends.
For Toh Jian Yue, an Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), the experience of interning at a global energy technology leader Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen in Germany was invaluable.
“One of the many reasons why I chose to study at UTP was the opportunity for international exposure and the vast availability of connections among peers and professionals.
“Completing my internship in Germany has nurtured my ability to adapt to different people and cultures in an unfamiliar environment.
“Experiencing a different work culture has also given me more insight into the workplace, and that the application of knowledge and experiences leads to better performance at work.
“The experience also expanded my worldview - creating memories and leaving footprints along the way,” he adds.
Toh is one of many UTP undergraduates who has benefitted from the university’s international approach to teaching and learning, aimed at producing well-rounded global graduates.
The university ranked as the country’s top private university and leader in technology education, offers students both work and study opportunities at partner institutions of higher learning around the world as well as leading global organisations.
UTP’s internship programme, for example, is designed to provide students with comprehensive exposure to the professional world, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in a globalised workforce, says Centre for Student Development (career services) senior manager Roslina Nordin Ali.
The seven-month internship programme offers students exposure to diverse sectors.
“UTP collaborates with various industries, for example, oil and gas, energy, manufacturing, engineering, IT, and business.
“This allows UTP students to experience different sectors and understand global industry practices and/or trends. Internships provide practical applications of theoretical knowledge, helping students see how academic concepts are used in professional settings,” she says.
Some of UTP’s industry partners offering internship opportunities include PETRONAS, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Technip, Exxon Mobil, Intel, Vitrox, Micron, Silterra, StarFive Technology, Flextronics Technology and Huawei Technologies to name a few.
“UTP’s strong ties with industry leaders in various industries, especially in the oil and gas sector through PETRONAS, provide students with valuable networking opportunities,” she says.
She adds that the internship stints often involve projects with a global impact; providing insights into international markets and business strategies also develops the students’ global business acumen.
“Many internship placements are in diverse, multicultural environments. During the seven months abroad, students are exposed to different cultural norms and business practices,” she says, adding that these experiences instil and develop soft skills such as ethics, time management and communication.
These impacts are similarly experienced by those on student exchange programmes with UTP’s partner institutions of higher learning.
Centre for Student Development (student mobility programme) senior manager Azrul Hasyimi Zabidi says that by living and studying abroad, students navigate new social situations, communicate in different languages and learn to bridge cultural divides.
“These experiences hone their ability to effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds, a crucial skill in today's international business environment.
“Students equip themselves with 21st-century global citizenship qualities such as critical thinking and problem-solving, community and collaboration, technology skills, adaptability and cross-cultural awareness.
“Our mobility programmes often provide access to unique courses and research opportunities otherwise unavailable here.
“This exposure to different academic approaches and perspectives broadens their knowledge base and prepares them to contribute to a globalised field,” he says.
Through the UTP exchange programme, international students build relationships with peers. Additionally, they gain opportunities for personal growth, diverse experiences, improved communication skills, and lasting friendships.
Some of UTP’s partner institutions include Graz University of Technology in Austria, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour in France, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague in the Czech Republic, University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, West Virginia University in the United States, Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates, National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, China University of Petroleum-Beijing in China and Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, to name a few.
“Stepping outside their comfort zone, students develop self-reliance, problem-solving skills and the ability to thrive in unfamiliar environments.
“These are highly sought-after qualities by global employers,” he adds.
Through the exchange programmes, students build relationships with international peers, faculty and professionals.
International students experience similar benefits when they study at UTP.
For Dina Hassoun Harith, a Business Management undergraduate from the University Colleges Leuven-Limburg (UCLL) in Belgium, taking up the exchange programme at UTP was a unique opportunity she could not miss.
"The courses package at UTP is very broad, which is also very interesting for me as a Business Management student.
“I have now followed four weeks of courses and have met many people from different countries and ethnicities,” she says, adding that she’s also been on a discovery of Malaysian culture.
“As a foreigner, it is always nice to feel welcomed and feel more like home.
“Being at UTP definitely has a positive impact on me - I will learn some Malay, enjoy the culture and country and embrace the challenges.
“We get the chance to follow lots of conferences and do many activities. The school also has lots of possibilities to do sports and many places to take beautiful walks,” she adds.
International collaborative programme
In addition to student exchange programmes, UTP has established an International Collaborative Programme with partner universities in Australia and Indonesia for selected degree programmes.
Through this collaboration, students from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember and Universitas Pertamina Indonesia can complete their undergraduate studies at UTP.
The outbound collaborative programme meanwhile offers UTP students the opportunity to complete their degree programmes at University of Adelaide and Deakin University in Australia.
“For the collaborative programme, students are exposed to two sets of curricula and they benefit not only from the angle of education but also exposure to other cultures and environment,” says UTP registrar Mohd Fadil Mohd Ariff.
On campus in Bandar Seri Iskandar, UTP students are also not short of diverse cultural experiences.
A multicultural student population at UTP enriches the education experience for the students through sharing of varied perspectives.
Mohd Fadil points to the campus’ multicultural population – totalling 7,000 students hailing from Malaysia and some 50 countries around the world.
“We are providing opportunities for students from around the world and on our agenda is to increase the proportion of international students from the current 12% to 30% by 2030.
“By expanding the diversity of students, UTP can be a true microcosm of the global community,” he says.
A multicultural student population, he adds, enriches the education experience both for the students and faculty members through cross-cultural collaborations and the sharing of diverse perspectives.
“The international students bring with them a wealth of perspective that enhances campus life, especially social interaction with the local students.
“By creating a global campus local students gain an understanding of other cultures and help to broaden their horizon, critical in shaping global citizens, especially in an increasingly interconnected world,” he adds.
