Five students from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) selected for the UNESA Global Students Mobility Award (UGSMA) 2026 carried out an international mobility program in Baucau, Timor-Leste, from March 29 to April 18, 2026.
The program, held in collaboration with Universidade Dili (UNDIL) and supported by the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), reflects UNESA’s commitment to strengthening campus internationalization while implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education through cross-border community engagement.
During the program, the students participated in various activities in education, health, public administration, and information technology.
They collaborated with several institutions in Baucau, including the Posto Administrativo de Baucau, the Comissão Nacional de Eleições (CNE) Baucau, and Centru de Saúde Tirilolo.
Through these activities, the students not only applied their academic knowledge but also gained first-hand experience in understanding social dynamics and institutional systems in an international context.
In the health sector, Adinda Cita Clasica, a student of the Undergraduate Nutrition Study Program, contributed at Centru de Saúde Tirilolo through nutrition services, health data recording, anthropometric measurement of toddlers, routine vitamin A and deworming distribution, and the development of educational leaflets on promotive and preventive nutrition for the local community.
In public administration, Hanif Mohamad Ramadhan from the Undergraduate Management Study Program at PSDKU and Fatimah from the Undergraduate Sociology Study Program conducted activities at Posto Administrativo de Baucau. Their work included observing bureaucratic work systems, visiting several Sede Suco, and developing a promotional video project focused on place branding and an after-movie documenting public service activities and regional potential.
Meanwhile, Fiana Agta Riyani from the Applied Undergraduate Informatics Management Study Program and Naura Aidah Nasyita from the Undergraduate Information Systems Study Program carried out activities at CNE Baucau. Their work focused on voter data management and analysis using information systems, population database processing, and understanding the flow and governance of information technology supporting election administration in Timor-Leste.
In addition to internship activities, the UGSMA awardees also conducted educational outreach by visiting several schools in Baucau, including Eskola Sekundária Jerál No. 1 Baucau, Eskola Sekundária Jerál No. 2 Baucau, Escola Secundária St. António Baucau, and AHHA Education SOLS Caibada Uaimu’a.
During the school visits, the students taught English and introduced scholarship opportunities at UNESA, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral programs, to local students.
One of the UGSMA 2026 awardees, Fatimah, said the program provided meaningful experiences beyond academic learning.
“This program gave us a very meaningful learning experience because we did not only come to learn, but also to share, collaborate, and contribute together with the local community,” she said.
According to the awardees, their interactions with local communities and institutions in Baucau offered new perspectives on the importance of adaptation, collaboration, and solidarity in a global environment.
The UGSMA 2026 program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiated by the United Nations, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. These goals were reflected in the students’ contributions to health services, education, and international collaboration.
Through this program, UNESA continues to strengthen its role as a higher education institution actively promoting internationalization, cross-border community service, and meaningful contributions to sustainable development at the global level.
The involvement of students in UGSMA 2026 demonstrates UNESA’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically excellent but also adaptive, collaborative, and globally minded. The international learning experience is expected to shape students into future change agents who are prepared to face global challenges.
Looking ahead, UNESA will continue to expand collaboration with international universities through impactful global mobility programs as a strategic effort to prepare graduates who are ready to compete at the international level.
The UGSMA 2026 awardees expressed their appreciation and pride for the opportunity to participate in the program. They also extended their gratitude to Universidade Dili, partner institutions in Baucau, the local community, and host families who provided valuable cultural experiences throughout the program.
They also thanked Universitas Negeri Surabaya for organizing UGSMA 2026, which they said had opened wider opportunities for personal development and global exposure. For the five awardees, participating in the program became one of the most memorable experiences during their studies at UNESA and left a lasting impression on their academic and personal journey.