On the last day of the joint program, 7th June 2024, the participants departed to the Institut Penyelidikan Bioteknologi, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Today’s agenda for the joint program between Universitas Airlangga and Universiti Malaysia Sabah is a research matchmaking activity in which delegations from both universities present and discuss further research interests, expertise, and resources. The activity encourages sharing knowledge and combined efforts between the two universities in solving current global problems, which aligns with SDG 4, “Quality Education,” and SDG 17, “Partnership for The Goals.” It’s expected that the research matchmaking gathers opinions and suggestions from expert perspectives to enrich the research results, which can be implemented in future community development programs. From Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the participating faculties include the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, the Borneo Marine Research Institute, and the Centre of EcoCampus Management. Meanwhile, the delegations from Universitas Airlangga include participants from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Psychology, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and Faculty of Advance Technologies and Multidiscipline. Each delegation of Universitas Airlangga is assigned to one of the participating faculty from Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

Within the research matchmaking activity, participants present their founding and actively discuss research on various topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) data, human rights and health, animal health, potential sustainability programs, and tourism. Through collaboration, participants can engage in intellectual discourses to navigate solutions to relevant problems faced by communities today. It also fosters university relations and builds a culture of collaboration and continuous innovation. Facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise can help participants accelerate the development of new ideas that address real-world challenges and expose them to new ideas, methodologies, and perspectives. Participants can also gain awareness through learning from related or different fields from researchers of other disciplines.

To conclude our program, we took a leisurely visit to the city center of Sabah, Kinabalu City. Here, each participant was given free time to explore the city and engage in various activities. Kinabalu City, with its rich cultural heritage and historical sites like the Sabah Museum, the Atkinson Clock Tower, and the Double Six Monument, offered a unique experience. The city is also home to beautiful beaches, such as Tanjung Aru Beach and Teluk Likas Beach, providing a perfect setting for relaxation and reflection. As the day drew to a close, participants were filled with inspiration and ready to make a positive impact on the community through their research and collaborative efforts.