Kuala Lumpur, September 24, 2026 — Indonesia World Development Network (IWDN) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Sukabumi (UMMI) are strengthening their collaboration in community engagement through the IWDN & UMMI International KKN Program in Malaysia. The program is designed to provide students with international learning experiences while contributing to educational support for Indonesian children in Malaysia.
As part of the preparation, IWDN and UMMI held an orientation and briefing session for participating students. The session was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UMMI, Dr. Fenty Sukmawati, and featured Haidir Ali from Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur (SIKL) as a speaker. Representing IWDN, Ahmad Syarif Amrulloh emphasized IWDN’s commitment to facilitating and supporting the program from the preparation stage through its implementation in the field: “IWDN is committed to facilitating and supporting this International KKN Program, from preparation and coordination with relevant stakeholders to accompanying students throughout their activities in Malaysia. We have conducted field visits and established communication with several local stakeholders to ensure that students can carry out their community engagement activities effectively and receive the support they need.”
Understanding the Educational Context of Indonesian Children in Malaysia
The orientation introduced students to the social context of Indonesian communities in Malaysia, particularly the educational challenges faced by some Indonesian children. Students were also introduced to Sanggar Bimbingan (SB), community-based learning centers that provide educational support for Indonesian children. During the program, students will be assigned to several Sanggar Bimbingan. Each group will be expected to communicate directly with SB coordinators, understand students’ needs, develop relevant activities, and coordinate every program with the respective center. The KKN activities will go beyond classroom teaching. Students may develop programs in literacy, Indonesian cultural introduction, arts, creativity, and skills development according to the needs of each Sanggar Bimbingan. They are also encouraged to prioritize students’ well-being and comfort while respecting the unique characteristics and circumstances of each location.
Strengthening Cross-Institutional Collaboration
As part of the preparation, the IWDN team has conducted field visits to several KKN locations to gain a better understanding of local conditions and support students’ readiness. IWDN will also continue to provide coordination and assistance throughout the program. The program is supported by Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur (SIKL) and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuala Lumpur (KBRI Kuala Lumpur). This collaboration brings together higher education institutions, civil society networks, and Indonesian institutions abroad within a shared framework of education and community engagement. In addition to academic and teaching activities, students received briefings on health, safety, travel, communication, and ethical conduct while in Malaysia. They were also encouraged to maintain close coordination with Sanggar Bimbingan coordinators, respect institutional guidelines, protect community privacy, and use social media responsibly. Through the IWDN–UMMI International KKN Program in Malaysia, international community engagement is positioned as a two-way learning experience. Students gain international exposure and broader social perspectives, while Indonesian children in Malaysia receive educational support tailored to their needs. The program is also expected to lay the foundation for continued collaboration among IWDN, UMMI, SIKL, KBRI Kuala Lumpur, and community-based educational institutions in Malaysia, strengthening the contribution of Indonesian higher education to educational and social development among Indonesian communities abroad.
#IWDN #UMMI #InternationalKKN
