EduTour2023 and e-EduTour2023:
Bridging Cultures and Borders in Education

Background

EduTour is an international student mobility programme hosted by the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication (FELC), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). Subsequent to its inception in 2018, this initiative has consistently achieved phenomenal success for its innovative elements. The EduTour programme was effectively implemented in 2018, 2019, and 2020. During the COVID-19 travel restrictions in 2021 and 2022, the programmme transitioned to its digital counterpart, known as e-EduTour. In 2023, both the physical EduTour and the digital e-EduTour were successfully executed.

The EduTour programme which sparks a strong partnership between UNIMAS and Utsunomiya University (UU) Japan, comprises an extensive variety of endeavours that are meticulously curated to captivate students from both nations in academic enrichment and cultural immersion that foster their ability to navigate in a globalized world.

Some of the activities included in the programme are as follows:

Cultural Exchange: International students immerse themselves in Sarawak culture and connected with UNIMAS students in building close partnerships during and after the programme.
English Language Enhancement Course: International students take English classes which focus on topics related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and engage in learning activities that alleviate English learning anxiety and improve their global communication skills.
Excursions: International students explore Kuching's (the capital of Sarawak) main attractions such as Kuching Waterfront, Main Bazaar, Borneo Cultural Museum, Cultural Village, and Matang Hill to gain an authentic cross-cultural experience.
Visits to Local Schools: International students visit local schools and participate in various educational activities with local students to experience Malaysian school life.
Recreational Activities: Both international and local students form strong bonds during games, outings and gatherings while enjoying various social activities.

Birth of the e-EduTour

The travel constraints resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic prompted UNIMAS and Utsunomiya University to rethink and adapt the physical EduTour programme into a digital format. The digital version, aptly name e-EduTour combines both hybrid learning and digital connectivity and it was successfully carried out in 2021 and 2022.

Throughout the week-long programme, the virtual participants engage in English language lessons which are comprehensively infused with elements connected with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is to enhance the students’ global competencies through their learning experiences in the programme. On this note, we believe that understanding the SDGs allows them, the future changemakers, to expand their ideas on current global and beyond. Additionally, their learning experiences in the English language lessons become more meaningful and enriching with collaborative engagement with the UNIMAS buddies who serve as teaching assistants and alleviating English learning anxiety. Different cultural backgrounds, philosophical views and social perspectives of the international and local students indirectly turn the lessons into a global forum which spark valuable discussions and debates on diverse global issues.

The e-EduTour is not merely an international mobility program, it is also a co-space for the participating UNIMAS students who are from various faculties to learn together. With guidance from instructors, they are exposed to event management skills via their direct involvement in the planning and execution of activities for the programme. For instance, they create videos showcasing the campus, famous tourist spots in Sarawak, local cuisines, traditional costumes, and Sarawak folktales. These interactive creations are used for various activities in the programme, allowing the international students to have an authentic ‘touch’ of the rich Sarawak culture.

Furthermore,

Dual learning experience: The 6^th EduTour and the 3^rd e-EduTour in 2023

2023 marks a phenomenal year for the EduTour program. In its sixth year, EduTour2023 made a comeback in UNIMAS main campus from 21 February to 6 March, witnessing the participation of Japanese students from Utsunomiya University (UU). This is the first batch of participants who were warmly welcomed by UNIMAS to join the physical international mobility program after the pandemic. Additionally, due to overwhelming demand, the e-EduTour2023 took place virtually from March 13 to March 18. Like its predecessor, e-EduTour2023 continued its language learning and cultural exchange mission. This edition featured a segment on "Life as a Malaysian school student" with the teachers and students of Luagan Primary School in Lawas, which is a rural school in Sarawak. Via live engagement session with the teachers and pupils of this school, all the programme participants were able to discover how education is like in a foreign context. The fruitful sharing session called forth a planning for global classrooms projects between schools in Sarawak, Malaysia and Tochigi, Japan, marking another level of global engagement strategy as a result of the EduTour programme.

EduTour is an exceptional programme that adapts seamlessly to physical and virtual settings, addressing the diverse learning needs of students in higher education institutions. This innovative initiative not only strengthens international partnerships, but also encourages global educational collaboration at various levels. It fosters student mobility and community engagement, allowing students to deeply immerse themselves in diverse cultures and strengthen their global mindset.

Awards and Publications:

Gold Medal - InTEX2023: Innovation Technology Expo

Shortlisted for the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023 in the category of International Strategy of the Year

Gold Medal – PECIPTA2022

Gold Medal – IUCEL2022 – International University Carnival on e-Learning