Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT) strengthened its international academic presence in the Philippines through a three-day series of engagements from 21 to 23 September 2026.
It brought together international teaching, community outreach and higher education dialogue across South Cotabato and General Santos City.
The series reflected UniKL MIIT’s growing commitment to internationalisation, academic mobility, cross-border knowledge exchange and ASEAN higher education collaboration, while extending Malaysian expertise beyond the conventional university classroom.
The engagement began on 21 September 2026 at Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI), where UniKL MIIT lecturers delivered two International Masterclasses to more than 500 students from HCCCI and its partner institution, Santo Niño College Foundation, Inc.
Representing UniKL MIIT, Ms. Samratul Janin Sidal, Lecturer from the Foundation & Fundamental Computing Section, led a masterclass on Strategic Planning and Approaches in Quad Media Communication, while Ts. Suhaili Din, Senior Lecturer from the Creative Multimedia Technology Section, conducted a session on Gamification in Education.
The sessions exposed students to contemporary approaches in digital communication, creative multimedia and technology-enhanced learning.
Participants explored how multiple media platforms can be strategically integrated to communicate effectively, while the gamification session demonstrated how game-based elements can support motivation, participation, collaboration and knowledge retention.
The following day, 22 September 2026, the UniKL MIIT delegation travelled to Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, extending the international engagement beyond the higher education setting through HCCCI’s CommuNEKTA initiative at Sta. Cruz Mission School, Inc.
Approximately 60 participants joined two sharing sessions, Do’s and Don’ts in Malaysian Culture and Online Gaming with Ethics, facilitated by Ms. Samratul and Ts. Suhaili during their appointment as visiting lecturers at HCCCI.
The cultural session introduced Malaysian customs, communication practices, etiquette and values while encouraging participants to consider how cultural differences influence relationships, communication and perceptions of respectful behaviour.
The engagement was particularly meaningful in Lake Sebu’s culturally diverse environment, where intercultural understanding and respect for different traditions form an important part of community life.
Meanwhile, the Online Gaming with Ethics session connected digital literacy with responsible technology use. Participants discussed screen-time management, cyberbullying, privacy, toxic behaviour, cheating, online communication and the importance of balancing gaming with education, family, physical activity and social interaction.
The three-day series concluded on 23 September 2026 with a courtesy visit to the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XII (CHEDRO XII) in General Santos City.
The visit provided a platform for UniKL MIIT to engage with Philippine higher education stakeholders and exchange perspectives on internationalisation, academic collaboration, faculty and student development, knowledge exchange and regional cooperation.
Ms. Samratul and Ts. Suhaili were accompanied by representatives from HCCCI and New Hope School of Agriculture and Fishery, Inc. (NHSAFI), further widening the network of institutions involved in the engagement.
Discussions with CHEDRO XII highlighted opportunities involving faculty development, student mobility, academic innovation, research collaboration, professional development, capacity building and international learning initiatives.
The engagement also enabled UniKL MIIT to gain greater insight into the Philippine higher education landscape while sharing perspectives from Malaysia on technology-driven education and international academic engagement.
Together, the three activities illustrate how a single international mobility initiative can generate multiple layers of impact—from classroom learning and digital education to community engagement and institutional relationship-building.
For UniKL MIIT, the Philippines engagement strengthens its position as an active participant in the ASEAN higher education ecosystem, creating opportunities for Malaysian academics to share expertise internationally while building networks that can support future academic mobility, research, innovation and student development.
The three-day series aligns strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through international teaching and accessible learning opportunities; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities through community-based access to international learning; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure through digital innovation and technology-enhanced education; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through strengthened Malaysia–Philippines institutional collaboration.
