Langkawi, Malaysia, August 2, 2026 – A delegation from the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), together with students from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), conducted an International Community Service activity on Tuba Island, Langkawi, Malaysia. This activity is part of the “The Global Nexus: USU × UUM” program series, designed to strengthen international collaboration through experiential learning, cultural exchange, and direct engagement with the community.
During the event, the USU delegation collaborated with students from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) on various community service activities involving direct interaction with the local community on Tuba Island. Through this collaboration, students from both universities had the opportunity to gain insight into the lives of the local community while strengthening cross-cultural cooperation in a practical learning environment.
The program was led by Dr. Sambas Ade Kesuma, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., and Ms. Risanty, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., who participated alongside the students in various community service activities and interactions with the local community. The presence of faculty members alongside students is part of an effort to create a learning experience that is not only academically oriented but also focused on reinforcing social and collaborative values.
The International Community Service Program is designed to foster students’ social awareness through direct engagement with local communities. At the same time, this program provides students with the opportunity to gain cross-cultural learning experiences through interaction and collaboration with students from Universiti Utara Malaysia.
Throughout the program, USU and UUM students worked collaboratively on various planned activities. Through this process, students share experiences, exchange perspectives, and build cross-national cooperation in an atmosphere that encourages communication, mutual respect, and a spirit of togetherness.
This experience plays a vital role in developing students’ ability to adapt and work in an international environment. The interactions fostered not only strengthen bonds between students from the two countries but also raise awareness of the importance of collaboration in addressing various global challenges.
More than just a community service activity, International Community Service also serves as a means to instill the values of collaboration, tolerance, and global leadership—equipping students to navigate a workforce that is increasingly interconnected on an international scale. Through an experiential learning approach, students not only gain knowledge in the classroom but also learn through real-world experiences in the field.
As part of the series of activities, the delegation also visited a sales center for local Langkawi products to learn about the region’s creative economy potential, particularly the chocolate industry, which is one of Langkawi Island’s iconic tourist attractions and flagship products. Through this visit, the students gained insight into the importance of developing products based on local potential as a strategy for community economic empowerment and strengthening regional competitiveness.
Through this activity, students not only gained academic experience at the international level but also came to understand the importance of building harmonious relationships between universities, communities, and local resources in support of sustainable development.
The participation of the Applied Bachelor's Degree Program in Public Sector Accounting at the USU Faculty of Vocational Education in the International Community Service activity is a tangible manifestation of the program’s commitment to integrating education, international collaboration, and community service. Through this collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia, the activity is expected not only to broaden students’ global perspectives but also to strengthen international academic networks that support the sustainable development of education, research, innovation, and community service.