News and Photos by: Mobility Unit CIAC
SINTOK, 12 January 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 today. The event served as a warm send-off for students from 12 countries who arrived at UUM in early October 2024 at the beginning of the semester as part of the Inbound Mobility Program. The farewell gathering was organised ahead of their final examinations, providing an opportunity to reflect on their journey before completing their academic commitments.
Prof. Dr. Mohd graced the farewell ceremony. Azizuddin Mohd Sani, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar, Director of CIAC and the Deans of the respective schools personally bid the students farewell and acknowledged their contributions to the UUM community.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Mohd. Azizuddin expressed his appreciation for the students’ dedication and enthusiasm in embracing the academic and cultural environment at UUM.
“Your presence at UUM has enriched your academic journey and contributed to our university’s internationalisation. We hope that your experiences here will leave a lasting impact and that you will continue to be ambassadors of UUM in your respective countries,” he said.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arpah Abu Bakar echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of global educational exchanges in fostering international collaboration and understanding.
UUM welcomed 71 inbound students from prestigious universities across China, Indonesia, Japan, Brunei, and France this semester (A241). 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 studies in diverse academic disciplines, including finance, linguistics, business administration, and international studies, enriching UUM’s academic and cultural landscape.
The event featured a certificate presentation to the exchange students and a sharing session where they reflected on their experiences at UUM. Many students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with Malaysian culture, explore the country, and form friendships with local and international peers.
The farewell gathering ended with a networking session over refreshments, where students and Deans exchanged heartfelt goodbyes. The event reaffirmed UUM’s commitment to global engagement and fostering cross-cultural understanding through international mobility programs.
As the exchange students prepare to sit for their final examinations and complete their semester, they leave with fond memories, enriched academic experiences, and strong connections to UUM and Malaysia. UUM expressed its best wishes for a safe journey back to their home countries and hopes 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.
With this farewell, UUM continues strengthening its role as a global education hub, fostering international partnerships and cross-cultural learning experiences.