ULM sends 18 students on international KKN programme to Japan

Beyond expanding international perspectives, the programme is expected to serve as a platform for cultural exchange and to boost ULM students’ confidence in securing international scholarships, particularly in Japan. Banjarmasin (ANTARA) – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), an accredited ‘Excellent’ public university, has sent 18 students to participate in an international student mobility or Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) programme in Japan. ‘ULM students will undertake a series of KKN activities coordinated by Kitakyushu University in Japan,’ said ULM’s Vice-Rector for Cooperation, Public Relations, and Information Systems, Dr Yusuf Azis, in Banjarmasin on Monday. He explained the programme follows international cooperation between ULM and Kitakyushu University, previously formalised by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by ULM Rector Prof Ahmad Alim Bachri and Kitakyushu University representatives. A subsequent Partnership Agreement (PKS) between faculties and laboratories was signed to strengthen academic collaboration between ULM and Kitakyushu University, a leading public university in Kyushu with a strong focus on environmental and sustainability studies. ULM students will participate in the international KKN programme in Japan for 10 days from 31 May to 9 June 2026. Participants come from various faculties: Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Agriculture, Engineering, Forestry, Medicine and Health Sciences, Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Economics and Business, and Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP). MKBT (Mobility of Integrated Learning Activities) Chairperson Dr Indira Fitriliyani explained Kitakyushu University was chosen for its alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in environmental management. Kitakyushu is renowned for its zero-waste management system, expected to serve as a model and open opportunities for further collaboration on sustainable environmental management. ‘This is our effort to find examples and future cooperation for zero-waste management at ULM,’ she said. Dr Indira added that the selection process began in late 2025 through an English language course programme. After obtaining certification, students will proceed to registration in February 2026 and interviews in March 2026. ‘Japan’s KKN is our effort to make ULM impactful not just regionally but internationally,’ she added.