Banda Aceh – As part of the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program, eight students from the Department of Biology, Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), successfully participated in the international MBKM initiative titled the Student Internship Mobility Program. This program is a collaborative effort between USK, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).
Throughout the program, students engaged in various activities including laboratory and research facility visits at both partner universities, skill-development workshops, and internships at leading research centers. These activities were designed to provide international exposure while strengthening both academic and professional competencies.
“We are honored to collaborate with renowned institutions in Malaysia. This program offers our students the opportunity to learn directly from experts, expand their networks, and gain new insights into biological research on a global scale,” said Prof. Dr. Lenni Fitri, S.Si., M.P., Head of the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) USK.
This MBKM program offers significant advantages in preparing students for an increasingly competitive professional landscape. By combining academic learning with real-world experience, students develop essential soft skills such as cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, as well as global perspectives aligned with current scientific advancements.
The participating students, Ana Maria, Della Puspita, Sarah Salsabil, Wanti Siryatul Maula, Khairul Abdi, Priti Rizki Monika, Rizqi Setia Darmawan, and Raihanah Shabirah, expressed their pride in joining the program. “Through this program, we learned various new research techniques in biology and built valuable connections with academic communities from neighboring countries,” they stated.
This collaboration is expected to pave the way for sustained partnerships with international universities. Furthermore, the program aligns with USK’s vision to produce globally competitive graduates capable of contributing to scientific advancement.
It is hoped that this international MBKM initiative will continue in the future, involving more students and expanding cooperative networks with other international institutions.