The Academy of Language Studies (APB), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Pahang Branch, Malaysia have successfully collaborated with Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD), Jogjakarta, Indonesia since 2018 by conducting students’ mobility exchange programs. 15 students and 10 lecturers of English Language Education Faculty (PBS) visited UiTM Pahang from the 11th -14th May 2018, in a mobility program initiated by Dr. Tengku Intan Suzila. Several activities such as students’ debates, cultural exchange events, academic talks and outdoor activities were held. A returned visit was then convened from the 6th -10th November 2018 where 10 students and 10 lecturers from UiTM Pahang went to Campus 4 & 5, UAD. Academic talks, a community service with SMA Muhamidiyyah 2, MOOC training were among the activities conducted by UiTM Pahang, lecturers. Meetings for future collaboration were also carried out.
By December 2018, Prof Noer Doddy Irmawati reached out for a Masters’ program. In August 2019, 5 students arrived from Indonesia and stayed at UiTM Pahang for about 2 months to be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamisah Ariffin, Dr. Tengku Intan Suzila Tengku Sharif and Dr. Roslina Abdul Aziz. They have been successfully conferred on the 16th November 2019 with Masters in English Education (M.Ed.) from UAD. The students were Pegiawan Basopi, Rissanti Fatimah Yusnarso, Nurul Fadilah, Aldi Satrio Nugroho dan Muh Mahrup Zainuddin Sabri. The examiners involved from UAD were Dr. Kasiyarno, Drs. Bambang Widi Pratolo, Drs. Akmal, and from APB UiTM, Pahang Branch were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamisah, Dr. Tengku Intan Suzila and Dr. Roslina. Prof. Dr. Ts. Mohd Ilham Adenan, the Rector of UiTM Pahang, Dr. Badli Esham, the Vice Rector of Industrial Linkages and Mr. Mohd Yusri the Head of APB (KKP) witnessed a viva session on the 10th October 2019 held at UiTM Pahang. Based on this joint effort, a Scopus indexed article was also published http://www.ijstr.org/paper-references.php?ref=IJSTR-0120-29317 and 4 more have been submitted for review.
In 2020, further planning was made in initiating a scholar-visiting exchange program. However, due to the pandemic COVID19, this was halted yet it did not stop 4 more Masters’ potential candidates to be supervised through online communication. The students are Solikin, Nadela Lesmana, Nikmah Sistia Eka Putri and Nurwanto were supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamisah, Dr. Tengku Intan Suzila, Dr. Badli Esham and Dr. Roslina. While the world heals from the pandemic COVID19, APB UiTM Pahang Branch and PBS UAD will continue to strive for more academic collaborative ventures. The November 2020- February 2021 3rd batch brought 8 more students namely Eka Siswantara, Shella Gherina Saptiany, Asrianto, Siti Wulan Asih, Taufik al wahyu, Vicky Hidantikarnillah, Agus Prasetyo and Debi Annisa who have received their Masters’ with additional two more Academy of Language Studies UiTM Pahang Branch supervisors joining the project – Dr. Nadhratunnaim Abas & Dr. Tengku Nazatul Shima Tengku Paris. This time a examiners were from USANT, Philippines.