Photos By: Muhammad Iqbal bin Roslan, Assistant Administrative Officer, CIAC
SINTOK, 23 June 2026: The Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), recently hosted a farewell ceremony at Sintok Roast to honour 86 inbound mobility students of the A252 Semester in recognition of their successful participation in the university’s mobility programme.
The event brought together students from six countries namely Brunei, Finland, France, Indonesia, Thailand, and Uzbekistan to celebrate their academic achievements, cross-cultural experiences, and lasting friendships forged during their semester at UUM.
The ceremony was graced by UUM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani UUM, together with deputy deans from various schools, who conveyed their appreciation and best wishes to the departing students.
In his address, Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin commended the students for making the most of their time at UUM by actively participating in academic, cultural, and community engagement activities.
“Your presence has greatly enriched our campus and contributed to the vibrant and inclusive community that we are proud to foster,” he said.
“Your participation in the mobility programme has not only enhanced your academic development but has also strengthened UUM’s internationalisation agenda. We trust that your experience at UUM has been both rewarding and memorable, and we sincerely hope to welcome you back to Malaysia in the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director of the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Hisham Zainal Abidin, emphasised that a student mobility programme extends far beyond the attainment of academic credits. He noted that such programmes provide valuable opportunities for students to broaden their horizons, develop intercultural competence, and gain meaningful life experiences.
He further expressed his hope that the students’ time at UUM had enabled them to grow not only academically but also as global citizens who embrace diversity, mutual respect, and international collaboration.
During the A252 Semester, UUM welcomed inbound mobility students from 23 higher education institutions worldwide, namely Termez State University, Tashkent International University of Financial Management and Technologies, Namangan State University, Oriental University, Nordic International University, Rajabhat Songkhla University, IPAG Business School, University of Vaasa, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, BINUS University, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Universitas Mataram, Universitas Kuningan, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, Telkom University, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya, Universitas Mercu Buana, Universitas Islam Indonesia, President University, Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka and Universitas Negeri Surabaya.
The celebration featured a certificate presentation ceremony followed by a sharing session, during which students reflected on their academic and cultural experiences throughout their mobility programme at UUM.
Representing the mobility students, Beehing Rodeeman from Rajabhat Songkhla University, Bebbi Ayodya Kafka from Universitas Mercu Buana and Clara Wulandari from Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung expressed their appreciation for the warm hospitality and enriching learning environment they experienced during their stay.
They described their time at UUM as both enjoyable and transformative, enabling them to gain new perspectives, establish meaningful international friendships, and create lasting memories. They also praised UUM’s serene and picturesque campus, noting that its conducive environment had contributed significantly to both their academic and personal development.
The students concluded by expressing their hope that UUM would continue to flourish and maintain its reputation as a welcoming and inspiring destination for international students from around the world.
As a token of appreciation and remembrance, each student received a commemorative souvenir from the CIAC team and the Global Buddies Club in recognition of their participation in the mobility programme.
The farewell ceremony marked a fitting conclusion to the students’ journey at UUM, celebrating not only their academic achievements but also the friendships, cultural exchanges, and memorable experiences that defined their time at the university. It also reflected UUM’s continued commitment to fostering global engagement and strengthening international partnerships through meaningful student mobility initiatives. – Amierul Husniey bin Che Abd Rahman
