UNISSA Student Gains International Learning Experience at Universitas Negeri Malang

A Year 2 student, Alya Haikal Darwisy bin Haji Aliassan from the Faculty of Halal Science and Sustainable Tourism (FHaSST), Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), has undertaken a 10-week internship at Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Surabaya, Indonesia, gaining valuable international exposure through academic discussions, practical learning, community engagement and cultural activities.

The internship provides the student with opportunities to broaden knowledge and strengthen practical competencies in areas related to sustainable development, halal governance, food innovation and community empowerment. Among the key activities was a session on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and localisation, themed “Bridging Science, Policy, and Society: Advancing Sustainable Development Through Local Action.” The session highlighted the importance of translating global SDG commitments into practical community-based initiatives through collaboration among universities, policymakers and society.

The student also participated in discussions on halal certification and the Halal Assurance System (HAS), gaining insights into halal integrity, regulatory compliance, traceability, quality assurance and the role of universities in supporting halal industry development.

Join a discussion with Dr Titi, Dr Cassandra, and several university staff regarding halal certification systems.

Beyond the academic environment, the internship provided meaningful community and cultural experiences through participation in the KKN UM BMM 2026 programme at Desa Pandanlandung and the Kirab Mbah Sentono cultural and religious ceremony. These activities offered first-hand exposure to community development, local traditions, social cohesion and the importance of cultural sensitivity in community engagement.

Community Service: Workshop on Pastry and Bakery Equipment for MSMEs Local Culinary Product

The student further gained practical exposure to food innovation through laboratory activities involving Moringa leaf fraction for fish nugget development and Tepache fermentation, strengthening understanding of food processing, functional ingredients, quality control and food safety. Participation in a community service programme for local MSMEs at Padusan also provided insights into food-processing innovation, product development, marketing and the potential of local food resources to support sustainable tourism and rural entrepreneurship.

Tepache Functional Fermentation Workshop

Fish Nugget with Moringa Leaf Fraction

Reflecting on the experience, Alya Haikal said, “This internship has given me the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and to understand how academic knowledge can be applied through research, innovation and meaningful engagement with communities.”

The experiences contribute particularly to SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing experiential and international learning opportunities, while the exposure to food innovation, entrepreneurship and community empowerment supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The community-based activities also reinforce the broader commitment to inclusive and sustainable community development

The learning internship reflects the shared commitment of UNISSA and UM to strengthening international academic mobility, knowledge exchange and institutional collaboration, directly supporting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. It also creates valuable opportunities for students to develop academic, practical and intercultural competencies while gaining a broader understanding of the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development.

The continued partnership between UNISSA and UM is expected to provide further opportunities for student mobility, joint research, academic exchange, community engagement and knowledge-sharing, contributing to the development of globally minded graduates and strengthening higher education collaboration between Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.