News and Photos by Mobility Unit CIAC
SINTOK, 6 February 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), through the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), hosted a farewell party for 71 inbound exchange students at Managers Coffee.
The event served as a warm send-off for students from 12 countries who arrived at UUM in early October 2024 as part of the Inbound Mobility Programme. Organised ahead of their final examinations, the farewell gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on their journey and experiences at UUM before completing their academic commitments.
The farewell ceremony was graced by Prof. Dr Mohd. Azizuddin Mohd Sani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), alongside Assoc. Prof. Dr Arpah Abu Bakar, Director of CIAC and Deans from various schools. They personally bid farewell to the students, acknowledging their contributions to the UUM community.
In his speech, Prof. Dr Mohd. Azizuddin expressed his appreciation for the students’ dedication and enthusiasm in embracing both the academic and cultural environment at UUM.
“Your presence at UUM has not only enriched your academic journey but also contributed to the university’s internationalisation efforts. We hope your experiences here will leave a lasting impact and that you will continue to be proud ambassadors of UUM in your respective countries,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar highlighted the importance of global educational exchanges in fostering international collaboration and cross-cultural understanding.
This semester (241), UUM welcomed 71 inbound students from prestigious universities across China, Indonesia, Japan, Brunei, and France. These students represented various institutions such as Xi’an Jiaotong University City College, Weinan Normal University, Heihe University, Hebei Finance University, Langfang Normal University, and Boading University from China; Universitas Prof. Dr. Hamka, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Universitas Airlangga, University Islam Indonesia, University Mercu Buana, Institut Pertanian Bogor, and University Mataram from Indonesia; University of Tsukuba, Okayama University, Chuo University, and Kansai University International Studies from Japan; Universiti Brunei Darussalam from Brunei; and IPAG Business School from France.
The students pursued diverse academic disciplines, including finance, linguistics, business administration, and international studies, enriching UUM’s academic and cultural landscape.
The event featured a certificate presentation ceremony, followed by a sharing session where students reflected on their experiences at UUM. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to immerse themselves in Malaysian culture, explore the country, and form lasting friendships with both local and international peers.
The farewell gathering concluded with a networking session over refreshments, allowing students and Deans to exchange heartfelt goodbyes. The event reaffirmed UUM’s commitment to global engagement and its role in fostering cross-cultural understanding through international mobility programmes.
As the exchange students prepare to sit for their final examinations and the completion of their semester, they leave with fond memories, enriched academic experiences, and strong connections to UUM and Malaysia. UUM extended its best wishes for their safe journey home and expressed hope to welcome them again in the future.
“We wish all our inbound students a safe and pleasant journey home. May the knowledge and experiences you have gained at UUM serve you well in your future endeavours. This is not goodbye, but rather a ‘see you again’—we hope to welcome you back to UUM in the future,” added Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar.
Through this farewell, UUM continues to strengthen its role as a global education hub, fostering international partnerships and cross-cultural learning experiences.
