JOHOR BAHRU— The Department of Water and Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FKA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully convened a bilateral staff and student inbound mobility programme in collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering (Fakultas Teknik), Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Indonesia, held from 18th to 24th October 2026.
Organised under the framework of the UTM ASCEND 2030 initiative and funded by iESC, the one-week capacity-building programme was themed “People • Knowledge • Innovation for a Sustainable Future”. The initiative provided an academic and cultural platform to bridge cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications with environmental engineering, sustainability research, and community-based solutions.
Official Welcome and Strategic Academic Exchange
The programme officially commenced at the FKA Smart Classroom with a welcome address delivered by faculty leadership, followed by a formal gift exchange between FKA representatives and the UM delegation.
The academic component featured two core knowledge-sharing seminars designed to address pressing regional challenges:
AI Tools for ESG & Sustainability: Delivered by Dr. Azzam Abuhabib, this session examined the integration of digital AI tools into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, highlighting predictive modeling and automated monitoring for environmental workflows.
Engaging Communities Through Real-Life Project Design: Led by Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Mad Din, this lecture highlighted practical strategies for civil and environmental engineers to translate laboratory research into impactful grassroots community interventions.
Interactive Research Roundtables:
Staff and students from both universities engaged in roundtable discussions exploring co-publication opportunities, joint supervision, and collaborative student research pipelines.
Hands-On Biodiversity Tracking and Field Study
To translate theoretical knowledge into experiential learning, the delegation engaged in active field-tracking and technical site assessments:
iNaturalist Tracking Activity:
Participants conducted a field biodiversity survey from Balai Cerap to Lata Jernih in collaboration with UTM Campus Sustainability (UTMCS), recording local flora and fauna data on digital platforms.
Technical Site Visit to Kampung Sungai Melayu:
Guided by Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Mad Din, Dr. Siti Nur Fatihah Moideen, and Dr. Siti Nor Hidayah Arifin, the delegation traveled to the coastal eco-tourism settlement of Kampung Sungai Melayu in Iskandar. Activities included boat-based hydrological surveys, mangrove ecosystem appraisals, and a structured study of native community water-management practices.
Fostering Cultural Diplomacy and Regional Networks
Beyond technical seminars, the mobility agenda emphasized regional integration through student-led cultural showcases and historical excursions. The participants explored Johor Bahru’s cultural landmarks, including Muzium Tokoh Johor, the Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, and the UTM Chancellery compound.
This bilateral programme reinforces the Department of Water and Environmental Engineering’s mission to foster resilient global networks, laying the groundwork for upcoming reciprocal outbound mobility, dual-institution grants, and shared engineering innovations between Malaysia and Indonesia.
