Photo by SQS IFEX 2025 Committee
SINTOK, 12 November 2025: The School of Quantitative Sciences (SQS), Universiti Utara Malaysia, warmly welcomed two visiting lecturers under the International Faculty Exchange Week (IFEX@UUM 2025), a flagship programme organised by the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC) from 26 to 31 October 2025.
Designed to strengthen international academic collaboration and promoting global knowledge exchange, the programme hosted Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chaowalit Hamontree from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand, and Dr. Dadang Amir Hamzah from President University, Indonesia. Both visiting scholars actively participated in a week-long series of academic, research, and community activities organised by SQS.
The lecturers were first received during an official welcoming event organised by CIAC on Sunday afternoon, where they met other international delegates and programme hosts. Following the event, they were introduced to the SQS management team and briefed on their scheduled activities for the week. To facilitate their engagements, each was provided with an office at SQS to conduct teaching sessions, research consultations, and academic discussions with students and staff throughout their stay.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chaowalit’s visit was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruzelan Khalid and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nerda Zura Zaibidi, while Dr. Dadang was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adyda Ibrahim, Dr. Ros Idayuwati Alaudin, and Dr. Mohd Saiful Adli Mohamad.
On Monday, both visiting lecturers conducted a Knowledge Sharing Session attended by SQS staff and students, where they presented their research findings and exchanged ideas on emerging trends in quantitative and mathematical sciences. The day concluded with a welcoming dinner in Kuala Perlis, where the guests were treated to northern Malaysia cuisine and a glimpse of the region’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Throughout the week, the visiting lecturers actively participated in undergraduate teaching and final-year project supervision, working closely with SQS academic staff. Their presence provided students with invaluable international exposure and fresh perspectives on contemporary research and learning practices within their disciplines.
On Tuesday, both scholars joined the Program Sedulang Kasih at Sekolah Kebangsaan Dulang, Yan, Kedah — a STEM outreach initiative led by Dr. Ayu Abdul Rahman and the SQS community engagement team. The event featured hands-on mathematics and science activities for Standard 4 and 5 pupils, designed to inspire curiosity and confidence in STEM learning. The visiting lecturers enthusiastically interacted with the pupils, helping to facilitate the sessions and contributing to a lively, inspiring atmosphere that bridged education with fun.
On Wednesday, a Research Discussion Session was held at SQS to explore avenues for deeper collaboration. The discussion covered potential joint publications, research grants, postgraduate supervision, and student exchange opportunities. The dialogue reflected UUM’s enduring commitment to fostering impactful international partnerships and strengthening academic networks within the ASEAN region and beyond.
The participation of SQS in IFEX@UUM 2025 exemplifies the school’s unwavering support for UUM’s internationalisation agenda led by CIAC. It also underscores SQS’s dedication to cultivating meaningful academic and cultural exchanges that enrich learning, advance research, and contribute to community engagement. – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adyda Ibrahim
