Global Talents in Action: UUM Mobility Students and GBC Members Excel in SDG Explorace Competition
News and photos Aveline Woo Yi Ling
SINTOK, 26 November 2025: The SDG Explorace PESKON 38, held on 8 November 2025, became a dynamic platform for cross-cultural collaboration and sustainability-focused problem solving. UUM mobility students from Uzbekistan and Indonesia, supported by dedicated members of the Global Buddies Club (GBC), played an active role in the competition, showcasing strong teamwork and global perspectives throughout the event.
The competition — organised by the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Club — featured 12 teams competing in challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). This year’s edition stood out for the impactful leadership and cooperation demonstrated by UUM’s international mobility students.
Two teams combining mobility students and GBC members achieved notable placements:
- Team EcoVengers — Munisa and Diyora (Uzbekistan), Ikma (Indonesia), and Aveline (Malaysia/GBC) — secured 4th place.
- Team Nexus — Farah Faizah and Nanang (Indonesia), Ilyosbek (Uzbekistan), and Le Xuan (Malaysia/GBC) — achieved 5th place.
The mobility students’ diverse cultural backgrounds contributed significantly to their teams’ ability to generate innovative and globally aware solutions during the pitching and challenge rounds. Their participation highlighted the value of international exposure in strengthening critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving.
Members of the Global Buddies Club (GBC) played a vital supporting role by acting as cultural liaisons, translators, team mentors, and facilitators. Their involvement helped ensure smooth communication, encouraged teamwork, and provided valuable local context during the discussions.
Event highlights included a series of SDG-themed activities designed by BGS— gender-equality challenges, health and nutrition games, teamwork-based balloon tasks, and SDG mix-and-match puzzles. These activities tested participants’ knowledge, creativity and collaborative skills.
Beyond competition results, participants gained confidence in public speaking, improved problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of the UN SDGs. “It was a fun, meaningful, and memorable learning journey for all”, shared Aveline.
UUM mobility students and GBC members expressed special appreciation to Mr. Mohd Azri Abdul Aziz, Assistant Director, Centre of International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), UUM and GBC Advisor, for recommending and sponsoring their participation.
