Yogyakarta – The Physics Education Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting the internationalization of higher education through the participation of three students in the International Student Mobility Program at Prince of Songkla University. Held from 20 April to 20 June 2026, the program provided students with an opportunity to broaden their academic perspectives, strengthen their research competencies, and enrich their learning experiences in an international environment.

The participating students were Citha Istiqomatul Fachry, Larasati Putri Utomo, and Intan Susanti. Throughout the program, they received academic guidance from supervisors at Prince of Songkla University in accordance with their respective areas of expertise, namely Prof. Dr. Helmut Josef Durrast, Prof. Dr. Boonyarit Chattong, and Prof. Dr. Suttida Rakkapao. Under the guidance of these professors, the students gained research-oriented learning experiences, developed their academic competencies, and applied their knowledge in an international context.

In addition to receiving supervision from Prince of Songkla University, the students were also guided and monitored by lecturers from the Physics Education Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga as part of the implementation of the international cooperation between the two institutions. This synergy between lecturers from both universities ensured that the academic activities remained aligned with the intended learning outcomes and optimally supported the students’ competency development.

Over the two-month period, the students participated in various academic activities designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience. The program began with theoretical learning through independent study, classroom lectures, academic discussions, and regular supervision sessions. Through these activities, the students not only deepened their understanding of key concepts but also developed critical thinking, scientific communication, academic writing, and research skills.

The program also provided opportunities for the students to engage in practical activities and research projects based on the expertise of their respective supervisors. Field activities, laboratory work, classroom observations, data collection and analysis, and discussions of research findings became integral parts of the learning experience. These activities broadened the students’ understanding of the application of physics and physics education in an international setting.

In addition to academic activities, the students attended a disaster mitigation socialization seminar organized in collaboration with the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia. The seminar enhanced their understanding of the importance of disaster preparedness, cross-country collaboration in risk mitigation, and the role of education in developing disaster-resilient communities.

As part of the academic process, the students also presented the progress of their learning outcomes and activities after completing one month at Prince of Songkla University. The presentations served as a forum for receiving feedback from supervisors and members of the academic community while also strengthening the students’ scientific communication skills in an international forum.

The program was not limited to research activities. It also gave students the opportunity to undertake teaching practice at partner schools. Through experiment-based learning and inquiry approaches, the students shared their experience in teaching science concepts to school students while learning about educational practices in Thailand. This experience became valuable preparation for developing pedagogical competence, communication skills, and adaptability in cross-cultural learning environments.

Beyond academic activities, the students also had the opportunity to interact with academic staff and international students from various countries. These interactions expanded their international networks, improved their cross-cultural communication skills, and fostered openness toward cultural diversity and different education systems.

The participation of these three students in the International Student Mobility Program serves as concrete evidence of the Physics Education Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta’s commitment to developing globally competitive students. Through collaboration with professors and researchers at Prince of Songkla University, the students gained international learning experiences while strengthening their academic, research, and professional competencies as preparation for their future roles as educators and researchers.

The Physics Education Study Program hopes that its cooperation with Prince of Songkla University will continue to develop and create more opportunities for students and lecturers to participate in international mobility programs, research collaborations, and physics education development. This partnership is expected to further strengthen the position of the Physics Education Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga as an active academic program that builds networks at the global level.