Expanding UUM’s Global Academic Engagement Through “BGS Connect – Odyssey to the Peninsula”
News and photos Cheah Xiao Tung
SINTOK, 13 April 2026: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) continues to strengthen its international academic footprint through “BGS Connect – Odyssey to the Peninsula”, an international mobility and engagement programme held from 26 March to 4 April 2026 in collaboration with the Beta Gamma Sigma SolBridge Chapter.
Organised by the Beta Gamma Sigma UUM Chapter in partnership with the Beta Gamma Sigma Chapter of SolBridge International School of Business, Woosong University, Daejeon, South Korea, the programme served as a strategic platform to strengthen international collaboration, broaden global exposure, and enhance cross-cultural competencies among UUM students.
The UUM delegation was accompanied throughout the programme by the club adviser, Dr Shuhamin binti Nazuri, whose guidance contributed to the success of the initiative. More than just a student mobility programme, the engagement reflected UUM’s ongoing commitment to strengthening global academic networks and elevating the university’s international presence.
The programme commenced with the delegation’s arrival at Incheon International Airport on 27 March, followed by onward travel to Seoul via the Korea Train Express (KTX). The initial phase of the itinerary centred on cultural familiarisation, with visits to several prominent locations including the National Museum of Korea, Namdaemun Market, Dongdaemun, and Myeongdong, allowing participants to gain an early appreciation of South Korea’s rich heritage and dynamic urban culture.
On 29 March, the delegation travelled to Daejeon, where the formal engagement with the BGS SolBridge Chapter commenced. In addition to structured interactions with their counterparts, the delegation also took part in cultural immersion activities at notable sites such as Daejeon Expo Plaza, Expo Park, Jungang Market, and Sky Road.
A key highlight of the programme was the visit to Woosong University, including a tour of the facilities and academic environment at SolBridge International School of Business. The visit provided participants with valuable insights into SolBridge’s global learning ecosystem, academic culture, and internationally oriented business education environment.
The core collaborative sessions took place on 30 and 31 March. The first day featured a joint session with the SolBridge Sustainability Club through a Language Café, which created a vibrant platform for cross-cultural dialogue and meaningful interaction between UUM students and a diverse community of international students at the SolBridge campus. The session was followed by an induction dinner, which further strengthened professional ties and interpersonal connections among participants.
On 31 March, the delegation attended a morning entrepreneurship class conducted by SolBridge lecturers, Prof. Noor Azlinna Azizan and Prof. Sara Khawar, where students were exposed to international pedagogical approaches and broader business perspectives. This was followed by the Capital to Creator programme, organised in collaboration with the SolStart-Up Club, in which participants engaged in experiential investment decision-making across multiple asset classes. The activity offered a valuable opportunity to enhance financial literacy, sharpen analytical thinking, and develop a more strategic understanding of entrepreneurship and investment.
The programme later continued in Seoul with a series of academic and cultural visits, including stops at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Ikseon-dong, as well as a campus visit to Yonsei University in Sinchon. These visits enriched the overall experience by blending academic observation with deeper cultural appreciation.
Overall, “BGS Connect-Odyssey to the Peninsula” delivered significant value to Universiti Utara Malaysia by strengthening international collaboration, expanding student exposure to global business environments, and cultivating intercultural competence among participants. The initiative also reinforces UUM’s role as an active participant in global academic exchange, in line with the university’s aspiration to produce graduates who are not only academically accomplished, but also globally aware, adaptable, and future-ready.
