Belajar Bersama Komunitas (BBK) International 2025 program is a two-week program initiated by World University Association for Community Development (WUACD) that is intended to highlight the role of higher education institutions in addressing urgent community needs while reinforcing international collaboration. This year, BBK International is held in its 3rd year in Terengganu with two of WUACD’s partners, namely Universitas Airlangga and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, as proof of long-term partnerships between the two universities supporting SDG 17, Partnership for the Goals. BBK International 2025 with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu provided the chance for students and faculty from member universities to participate in a series of initiatives directly benefiting local communities in Terengganu from 26 July to 9 August 2025.

The program encompassed various areas of education, with a strong emphasis on health and mental health awareness, as well as environmental sustainability. In addition, cultural exchange formed a central component, offering students valuable opportunities to learn and share knowledge about the diverse traditions of both countries, including heritage, cultural health practices, and the use of herbal remedies. These initiatives were warmly welcomed by both the community and the participants, resulting in immediate benefits such as enhanced health literacy, greater understanding of mental well-being, and increased ecological and environmental awareness.

For the participating students, BBK International was more than an academic program; it also served as a transformative mobility experience that nurtured leadership, empathy, and intercultural understanding, all of which are essential skills for future global leaders. The program also directly contributed to the advancement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through health and mental health education, SDG 4 (Quality Education) through knowledge-sharing and experiential learning, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through environmental awareness campaigns, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through cross-institutional collaboration and cultural exchange. By integrating these elements, BBK International demonstrated how academic mobility can drive meaningful impact for both students and communities.

Beyond its immediate impact, the BBK International 2025 with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu also carried the significance of continuity. For several years now, Universitas Airlangga and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) have built a sustainable partnership through WUACD, using academic mobility and community development as cornerstones. This collaboration has become a model of how consistent cross-border engagement between universities can deliver long-term benefits, not only for students but also for the communities they serve.

The urgency of programs like BBK International lies in the growing challenges communities face, from educational vulnerabilities and health disparities to environmental sustainability. By linking academic knowledge with local realities, higher education institutions can actively contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The success of BBK International 2025 reaffirms WUACD’s mission to transform academic collaboration into sustainable community impact, while strengthening the enduring partnership between Universitas Airlangga and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, which also supports SDGS 17, focusing on partnership for the goals.