On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Department of Management at the Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Andalas successfully conducted the Global Exchange Program on International Business and Globalization, which was held virtually. This exceptional program brought together esteemed institutions—Universitas Andalas from Indonesia, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris from Malaysia, and Shandong Huayu University of Technology from China—demonstrating the commitment to fostering international collaboration.
The day began with a lively and insightful panel discussion focused on the critical topic of tariff policy and its significant impact on individual nations as well as the ASEAN region. Students from all three participating countries actively engaged in the conversation, presenting their well-researched papers that analyzed the current economic climate and the geopolitical dynamics at play in the ongoing trade wars. Notably, three dedicated representatives from the Department of Management—Alvin Emmanuel, Hilsa Febrina, and Mahdiyyah Arifah Dharma—delivered compelling presentations on tariff policies, showcasing their understanding and perspectives.
In the afternoon, the program showcased a dynamic project on international business subjects, featuring a series of captivating videos—three from Malaysia and China and five from Indonesia. These presentations not only highlighted the students’ creativity but also enriched the virtual experience for all participants. A panel of esteemed lecturers from the three institutions rigorously evaluated the presentations and videos, culminating in the awarding of well-deserved accolades for the best presenter and the most engaging video, along with thoughtful souvenirs as tokens of recognition.
The initiative behind this exchange program was led by Dr. Nadratun Nafisah binti Abdul Wahab, a lecturer at the Faculty of Management and Economics at UPSI. With a clear vision of creating a reputable management study program within ASEAN, she effectively collaborated with both the head and the secretary of the Management Department to design this comprehensive exchange program, integrating international business and globalization courses from both UPSI and Unand.
The program was adeptly managed by Agriqisthi, a lecturer in the Management Department who is currently advancing his PhD at UPSI. He was supported by a team of lecturer in the International Business classes, including Dr. Ma’ruf, Dr. Eri Besra, and Dr. Verinita, all of whom contributed their expertise to ensure the program’s success.
At Universitas Andalas, it embraced a hybrid format for this event, enabling thirty students to attend the live session at the state-of-the-art smart classroom facility, while over seventy other participants joined through the Webex meeting platform. The collaboration didn’t stop there; students from both institutions took on vital roles in organizing this enriching program, demonstrating their commitment to cross-border engagement. The event was officially launched with impactful remarks from Dr. Nor Azrin Bin Md Latip, the Deputy Dean of Academic and International Affairs at FME UPSI, and Dr. Asniati, the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at FEB Unand. This collaboration set a strong foundation for a day filled with knowledge exchange and mutual learning.
