Penang: USM is strengthening its global presence through an innovative internationalisation strategy centred on hands-on learning, inclusivity, and sustainable practices, in line with the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026-2035. Within this framework, edutourism serves as a strategic tool to enhance the academic experience of international students, particularly through mobility and short-term study programmes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed stated that the university, which is located in Penang and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a unique learning environment that combines academic excellence with cultural heritage, history, and local diversity. This approach enables cross-cultural learning to take place authentically beyond the classroom, fostering global understanding, knowledge exchange, and meaningful international academic networks.
'To ensure the sustainable and organised growth of edutourism and international student mobility, USM has launched the Mobility Matching Fund (MOMAF) initiative, a matching-funding mechanism to bolster strategic partnerships with international universities," he said. The initiative supports a more systematic implementation of mobility programmes such as short-term courses, academic visits, student exchanges, and institutional partnerships, while also giving local students opportunities to gain international experience, broaden intercultural understanding, and cultivate global interaction skills.
Abdul Rahman mentioned that complementing physical mobility, the Internationalisation@Home approach has been integrated to ensure more inclusive benefits of internationalisation. He explained that by engaging international students and offering programmes that combine global insights with local contexts, USM brings international experiences directly into students' daily learning.
'Overall, the coordination of Edutourism, MOMAF, and Internationalisation@Home creates a cohesive and resilient framework for internationalisation at USM," he added. According to him, the approach reflects USM's commitment to supporting the RPTM 2026-2035 aspiration of positioning Malaysia as a quality, inclusive, and sustainable international higher education hub.