By Dr. Roslizawati Ab Lah, Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science

To promote entrepreneurship, academic collaboration, environmental awareness, and regional solidarity, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) successfully led an outbound mobility programme to Universitas Maritim Raja Ali Haji (UMRAH), Tanjung Pinang, Indonesia, from 4 to 9 May 2025.

Carried out under the theme “Kreatifpreneur: Cabaran Inovasi Menjana Impak”, the programme involved 30 undergraduate students and three staff members from the Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science (FPSM).

The programme was coordinated by Dr. Roslizawati Ab Lah (UMT) in collaboration with Mr. Aditya Hikmat Nugraha (UMRAH). The week-long initiative featured academic talks, innovation competitions, cultural exchange, and environmental outreach, aligning strongly with UMT’s internationalisation agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The programme commenced with a two-day talk show featuring Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Fazliyana Mohtar (UMT), Assoc. Prof. Dr Lily Viruly (UMRAH), and industrial representatives from Seven Clean Seas, Rumah Rendah Karbon, and Citra Sari. The discussions highlighted sustainable marine innovation, entrepreneurship, and low-carbon community practices, through which students gained a regional perspective on environmental challenges and solutions (SDGs 4, 9, and 12).

A key highlight was the Fisheries Product Innovation Challenge, where ten cross-institution student teams developed novel, value-added fishery-based products. Among the creative outputs were instant seafood snacks and eco-conscious packaging concepts. Dr. Roslizawati and another two panels from UMRAH (Dr. Linda Waty Zen, Miss Tetty) served as judges. The event received live coverage by Redaksi Batam TV, enhancing the visibility of student-led innovation and regional cooperation (SDGs 8, 9, and 17).

Students also engaged in environmental conservation efforts in Kampung Pengudang. In collaboration with local stakeholders, they planted 100 mangroves and conducted a beach clean-up, removing over 150 kg of marine litter. Students learned to identify key mangrove species such as Rhizophora apiculata, Avicennia marina, and Sonneratia alba, strengthening their ecological awareness and hands-on skills (SDGs 13, 14, 15, and 11).

The programme concluded with Malam Serumpun, a cultural night celebrating ASEAN heritage through traditional music, food, and student performances. It served as a platform for unity, exchange, and deeper regional understanding (SDGs 10 and 17). Reflecting on the programme, Dr. Roslizawati shared, “This was more than a mobility experience, it was a transformative journey that fostered innovation, environmental responsibility, and international friendship.” UMRAH representatives echoed similar sentiments and expressed interest in expanding future research collaborations.

This programme would not have been possible without the unwavering support of FPSM, UMT’s International Centre (IC), and the Office of Student Affairs and Alumni (HEPA). Their collective commitment to student empowerment, international engagement, and academic excellence ensured the success and long-term impact of this initiative.