Tawau, Malaysia – August 9, 2025, Universitas Terbuka (UT), in collaboration with Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Felda Global Ventures (FGV), successfully held the offline session of the 2025 International Community Service Program (PKM) at the Nusantara Hall, Indonesian Consulate in Tawau, Sabah. The event was attended by 96 elementary school teachers from various Community Learning Centers (CLCs) across Sabah, Malaysia.
As part of the program, UT previously conducted online training sessions on national literacy and national literacy project competition, encouraging teachers and students to create creative works that reflect Indonesian national identity. The submitted projects included mini books on national heroes, posters illustrating Pancasila values, illustrated stories about mutual cooperation, patriotic poems, short videos showcasing Indonesia’s cultural diversity, literacy cards with unique facts, and mini dictionaries of regional languages.
The highlight of the offline event was the National Literacy Showcas where CLC teachers presented their completed projects in the form of posters and videos. This session served as a platform for appreciation and reflection on the creativity and national spirit nurtured within migrant communities.
To further engage younger students, a coloring contest themed “Indonesia’s Cultural Diversity” was held, involving 17 students from CLCs. The activity aimed to instill a sense of national pride and cultural awareness from an early age.
Winners of the competitions received prizes such as traditional costumes, angklung instruments, reading books, and LCDs. In addition, UT provided educational grants based on CLC needs assessments, which included laptops, speakers, and teaching aids to support more effective teaching and learning processes.
As part of the program’s capacity-building efforts, participants also attended a training session on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, delivered by a team from UMS. The session introduced innovative approaches to integrating technology into classroom instruction, tailored to the unique challenges faced by educators in migrant communities.
The event concluded with the announcement of competition winners and the symbolic handover of prizes and educational grants. The International PKM initiative reflects the commitment of Indonesian higher education institutions to the Tri Dharma—education, research, and community service—and aligns with the Ministry of Education’s “Impactful Campus” program. UT and its partners hope to continue this meaningful collaboration and expand its positive impact on the education of Indonesian migrant children abroad.
