• International student mobility programmes play an important role in developing university students’ global mindedness through formal/informal learning, cultural exchanges, and collaborations.
• The e-EduTour orginally started as a physical international student mobility programme called EduTour in 2018 and it was successfully implemented for three consequtive years in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
• The EduTour was specially crafted and designed to promote partnership and collaboration between UNIMAS and Utsunomiya Unviersity (UU) with a series of activities consisting of English language lessons that reflect United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), introduction to campus faculties and facilities, visits to historical and interesting places,, experiencing Sarawak and Japan’s culture, food, and drinks, among others.
• However, the travel restrictions imposed due the pandemic hindered us from offering the physical EduTour.  Nevertheless, it prompted us to innovate and create  a digital version of international student mobility experience called the e-EduTour. The e-EduTour was carried out successfully in 2021 and 2022.

• The e-EduTour2022 is digital international student mobility programme hosted by the Faculty of Language and Communication, UNIMAS in collaboration with UU, Japan.
• Throughout e-EduTour2022, participants exchanged information about their unique cultures, traditions, cuisines, songs and dances through the activities in this programme. Interactive question and answer sessions were conducted after each activity to enhance understanding between students from the two universities, in line with the programme’s aim. This edition also included a segment on “Life as a Malaysian school student” which featured the award-winning Luagan Primary School (SK Luagan) in Lawas, Sarawak.
• Just like the physical EduTour, the e-EduTour2022 has helped strengthen international partnership, encouraged student mobility, involved community engagement, established global classroom projects between schools in Sarawak Malaysia and Tochigi Japan, attracted industry collaborations and grants, and serves as gratitude to technology with ideas beyond normal for developing global minded citizens.

• Gold Medal - PECIPTA2022: Innovation, Creativity, Technology, Entrepreneurship and Community 
• Gold Medal – IUCEL2022: International University Carnival on E-Learning
• Silver Medal – InTEX2022: Innovation Technology Expo   

Related Links

• e-EduTour2022 recording: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvcWdQYrWJ9Od7sjQR1-dj6VSFuxr0qce
• TV Sarawak – Global Classroom Project interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sg2tZFCSo4 -18:01min
• Newspaper articles
  • The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2021/05/02/unimas-holds-virtual-exchange-with-japanese-students
  • Shimotsuke Original Online News Japan: https://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/articles/-/418641
  • New Sarawak Tribune: https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/unimas-utsunomiya-university-carry-out-e-edutour2021/
  • https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/unimas-edutour-2020-programme-ends-positively/