UNAIR NEWS – A student from the Industrial Engineering Department at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Muhammad Ryan Zulfik, recently served as a delegate at The LIFE (Living, Inclusive, Fulfilling Experience) Programme, hosted by Universiti Sains Malaysia. Zulfik participated in the program from Sunday, September 1, 2024, to Saturday, September 14, 2024, in Malaysia.
During the two-week program, Ryan engaged in a variety of multicultural experiences with students from across ASEAN nations. “I participated in many activities throughout the program. Over the course of two weeks, I attended six core modules presented through seminars, sharing sessions, games, leadership and teamwork exercises, and reflection activities,” Zulfik explained.
Valuable lessons as delegate
In The LIFE Programme, Zulfik took part in numerous activities designed to address significant global issues. One of the first modules he attended focused on sustainable living, taught through case studies, solution presentations, and interactive games.
“Through this module, my fellow delegates and I gained an understanding of how we impact the world and what efforts we can make to achieve the 17 SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) targets by 2030,” he said.
Another module he found insightful was on future-oriented innovative thinking skills. In this module, Zulfik and the other delegates learned how to use the right brain for logical thinking and the left brain for creative problem-solving.
“We were tasked with solving a case study by designing a product and presenting it creatively. We also had a drawing design activity where delegates had to develop and understand logical algorithms and give each other directions to create cohesive designs,” he added.
Unforgettable multicultural experience
Beyond the academic sessions, Zulfik had the opportunity to explore Malaysian culture. He toured the Universiti Sains Malaysia campus and participated in a historical tour of Penang Island. He also joined the Holi Festival, a vibrant celebration where participants throw colored powder to welcome spring.
During his time in Malaysia, Zulfik actively engaged in cultural exchange with his fellow delegates, gaining valuable insights into various cultures.
“All my fellow delegates from different countries taught me valuable lessons. I learned about the uniqueness of individuals, gained fresh perspectives from their national viewpoints, and discovered shared experiences among countries that I hadn’t been aware of before,” he concluded.
Author: Afifah Alfina
Editor: Edwin Fatahuddin
