Stimulating the Scientific Spirit: Visiting Professor Dr. Mohamad Termizi Bin Borhan from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris to the Department of Science Education FMIPA UNY

The spirit of science was reignited at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Yogyakarta State University (UNY) with the arrival of Visiting Professor Dr. Mohamad Termizi Bin Borhan from the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia. The visit, which took place from 22 to 25 March 2024, was one of the Inbound Visiting Professor activities as a manifestation of the Enhancing Quality Education for International University Recognition (EQUITY) Project. During his visit, Dr. Termizi had the opportunity to give lectures to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students in the Department of Science Education. To 146 undergraduate science education students, Dr. Termizi shared knowledge about Integrated Science Learning, especially in the Southeast Asia region, with a special focus on Malaysia. Students not only listened to lectures, but also actively discussed and were given tasks to develop integrated science learning tools. For 47 Master and Doctoral students of Science Education, the topic presented by Dr. Termizi was about Problem & Project Based Learning. Throughout the session, Dr. Termizi shared insights on Integrated Science practices, problem-based learning approaches, and their applications in various educational settings. The aim was to broaden students' understanding of integrated science learning while encouraging critical thinking and problem solving skills. The significance of Dr. Termizi's visit extends beyond the academic and learning realms. Dr. Termizi and FMIPA UNY also took this opportunity as a platform to strengthen academic cooperation between FMIPA UNY and UPSI, paving the way for partnerships in joint research as well as joint publications, community service, and academic exchanges. In addition, the visit provided an opportunity to explore credit transfer arrangements between the two institutions, facilitating academic mobility for students and lecturers. Overall, Dr. Termizi's visit was instrumental in enriching the academic landscape within FMIPA UNY, strengthening international collaboration, and empowering students with the necessary knowledge and skills to design innovative science learning. The active and interactive discussions, coupled with the collaboration opportunities between UNY and UPSI, signaled the importance of cross-institutional cooperation in advancing education and research. As such, the visit not only enhanced students' understanding, but also opened the door for broader scientific developments and academic partnerships in the future.