UUM-UINSU Knowledge Exchange Series 2025: Advancing regional excellence through academic synergy
Photos Suwannit Chareen Chit Sop Chit and Ahmad Hanis
MEDAN, 3 July 2025: The Faculty of Science and Technology at Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara (UINSU) played host to the UINSU-UUM Knowledge Exchange Series 2025, a half-day academic sharing programme held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event was part of the Universiti Utara Malaysia’s (UUM) Academic and Research Visit to Medan, which was held from 23 to 28 June 2025.
Designed to foster meaningful regional knowledge transfer and strengthen institutional ties, the programme featured three parallel workshops led by lecturers from UUM’s School of Computing. This also marked a significant milestone in the ongoing academic relationship between the two institutions, building upon UINSU’s inaugural visit to UUM in January 2025. This reciprocal engagement underscored a shared commitment to cultivating, impactful academic collaboration.
The UUM delegation was led by Professor Dr. Osman Ghazali, Dean of the School of Computing and Assistant Vice-Chancellor of the UUM College of Arts and Sciences (UUM-CAS). In addition to delivering academic contributions, Professor Osman engaged in strategic discussions with the UINSU leadership and the Faculty of Science and Technology to explore new avenues for collaborations – particularly in postgraduate (PhD and Master programmes) education and joint research.
One of the main highlights was a workshop led by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Information and Communication Technology (JICT). Her session, titled “Write, Submit & Publish: JICT Editor’s Guide to Research Paper Writing,” attracted around 20 UINSU lecturers and provided a treasure trove of insights on manuscript preparation, navigating the publication process, and strategies for getting published in high-impact indexed journals.
Meanwhile, approximately 80 UINSU students engaged in two hands-on workshops specifically designed for students. Mr. Suwannit Chareen Chit facilitated “Empathy in Action: Unleashing Innovation through Design Thinking,” workshop, while Mr. Ahmad Hanis Mohd Shabli conducted “Mobile and Web App Development with Flutter (Full CRUD Example).” These workshops emphasised critical thinking, creativity, and practical technology skills aligned with current and future industry demands.
This knowledge exchange series exemplifies UUM’s unwavering dedication to cross-border knowledge sharing and institutional capacity building – especially among universities that share cultural and academic roots. Initiatives like these not only strengthen regional ties but also contribute to elevating the quality and relevance of higher education across ASEAN.
As the global landscape continues to undergo rapid transformation under the influence of emerging computing technologies—including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Data Science, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and Cloud Computing—the role of computing in academia has become more crucial than ever. UUM recognises that thriving in this fast-paced digital era requires strategic collaboration, mentorship, and a shared vision for innovation. Through this series, UUM and UINSU are laying robust groundwork for exploring these transformative technologies and nurturing a generation of future-ready scholars and professionals.
With its recent placement at 491 in the QS World University Rankings 2025, UUM continues to shine as a beacon of academic excellence, research leadership, and global engagement – steadfast in its mission to build bridges of knowledge and impact through strategic international partnerships. – Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk
