Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland: Ms Mari and Ms Minna

From 27th to 31st January 2019, UTM Johor Bahru received an official visit of the two delegates from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Finland as a part of the Erasmus+ Staff Training Mobility Programme (inbound). The delegates include Ms Minna Kaihovirta-Rapo, Development Manager, and Ms Mari Rupponen, Study Coordinator.

 

27th January 2019: The delegates were warmly welcomed by the staff of Strategy Management Office, UTM International including Prof. Dr Nordin Yahaya, Pro-Vice Chancellor of UTM International, Prof. Dr. Nor Haniza Sarmin, Associate Director (Student Service & Global Education Experience), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismid Md Said, Associate Director (Global Strategy and Engagement), Dr. Farhana Diana Deris, Erasmus+ Institutional Coordinator, Dr. Helen Tan Sui Hong, Research Executive (Strategic Management), as well as Madam Punithavalli A/P Marimuthu, Manager (Corporate Service).

During the meeting, the delegates were briefed on the internationalization of UTM by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismid and given the opportunity to share information regarding their institution and its internationalization. 

 

 

 

Later, the two delegates were taken for a campus tour and lunch. It is a great opportunity to introduce the delegates to UTM Johor Bahru.

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After lunch, the two delegates were introduced to the staff of Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS) to discuss on potential collaboration. 

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28th January 2019: On Monday, 28th January 2019, Ms Minna and Ms Mari from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences had a chance to attend the Course on Continuous Quality Assessment in Teaching for the whole day. 

 

29th January 2019: Running alongside Erasmus+ Staff Training Mobility Programme (inbound) is UTM’s International Students Orientation Programme. The two delegates, Ms Minna Kaihovirta-Rapo and Ms Mari Rupponen were invited to join the talks and briefing given by UTM International, held during the day for UTM’s International students at Dewan Sultan Iskandar, UTM Johor Bahru.

 

Later that night, Ms Minna and Ms Mari were invited to the welcoming dinner organized by UTM International. The dinner was enlivened with various cultural performances by the staff and students of UTM International. 

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30th January 2019: For the fourth day of the visit, delegates from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences had the opportunity to observe a lecture session at Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS), UTM Johor Bahru. During the lecture session, they were exposed to how classes were conducted. They were also given the chance to interact with the students.

 

 

Dr. Suresh Ramakrishnan, the Deputy Dean at Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS) also used the chance to invite the special guests, Ms Minna and Ms Mari to his lovely home. They were kindly served with a variety of Malaysian foods.

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On the same day, the delegates were taken to the Centre for Student Innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship (UTMXCITE), accompanied by Dr Farhana Diana binti Deris, the Institutional Coordinator of Erasmus+. During the visit, they were briefed about the activities that have been organized by UTMXCITE. They were also introduced to a number of students’ innovation products.

 

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Later that day, Ms Minna and Ms Mari were taken to pasar Taman Universiti, along with Prof. Dr. Nor Haniza Sarmin, Associate Director (Student Service & Global Education Experience). The activity allowed the delegates to experience the unique culture and variety of foods that are here in Malaysia. 

 

31st January 2019: 31st January 2019 was the last day of the Erasmus+ Staff Training Mobility Programme (inbound) at UTM Johor Bahru. For the morning session, Ms Minna, a senior lecturer from Metropolia Business School, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland was was invited to give a talk to staff and students on “Personal Branding and Employability through Effective Communication” at the Convention Hall of Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS), UTM Johor Bahru. The programme was adjunct to the overall objective of Erasmus+, in which to create a partnership in research and education that will strengthen the ties between Europe and Asia, with a special focus on education, training, youth and sport. 

 

Watch the videos of the talk on “Personal Branding and Employability through Effective Communication” by Ms Minna Kaihovirta-Rapo below:

 

In the afternoon, they had a hands on experience of Enterprise Resource Management Challenge (ERMC) using MonsoonSim Business Simulation, one of the software used for teaching and learning in AHIBS.

 

The delegates from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland ended their visit to Malaysia on 1st February 2019.  Before going back to their hometown, they went shopping for souvenirs for their love ones back at home. The souvenirs that they purchased include Baju Kurung, a traditional Malaysian females’ garment, as well as Kaftan sleeping wears, in which both types of items strongly represent Malaysian custom and culture. 

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Ms Minna concluded her visit, together with Ms Mari to UTM Johor Bahru, Malaysia for Erasmus+ Staff Training Mobility Programme (inbound), with the saying; 

“Our visit to UTM Malaysia was a great success. During our visit we learned a lot on both content and also on best practices. Our program was a perfect combination of formal professional and more informal cultural activities. We are looking forward for future co-operation between UTM and Metropolia UAS, Finland.”

Watch Ms Minna’s video on her opinion about UTM, in her visit under Erasmus+ Mobility Programme as follows:

 

 

by: adibahizah