UMS Supports National Awareness Education for SIJB Malaysia Students

The Physical Education program of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) carried out a community service program at Sekolah Indonesia Johor Baru (SIJB), Malaysia, on 12–15 January 2026. The activity was part of the International Partnership Community Service Program (PKM-KI) of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) UMS.

Chair of the PKM-KI Team from the Physical Education program, FKIP UMS, Agam Akhmad Syaukani, M.Ed., stated that the activity aligns with the direction of national development, particularly in strengthening superior and character-driven human resources. This alignment is reflected in the National Long-Term Development Plan 2025–2045 and the National Medium-Term Development Plan  2025–2029.

“This program is also relevant to Asta Cita, especially in reinforcing national ideology, strengthening education and health development, and supporting Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy through educational services for Indonesian citizens abroad,” said Agam when contacted on Tuesday (20/1/2026).

Agam was accompanied by the Vice Dean for Student Affairs of FKIP UMS, Dr. Nur Subekti, M.Or., and involved five Physical Education students from UMS. Agam explained that the community service team equipped physical education, sports, and health (PJOK) teachers at SIJB with teaching skills using a cooperative learning approach through physical activities and sports-based games.

This approach is expected to strengthen students’ character, social skills, physical literacy, and national awareness. On the same occasion, the team also handed over a Cooperative Learning Textbook for the Junior High School PJOK Subject, which was received directly by the Acting Principal of SIJB, Erry Kananga.

Lecturers and students of the Physical Education program at UMS during their visit to SIJB Malaysia, January 2026.  

According to Agam, Physical Education students from UMS were also directly involved in assisting PJOK learning using a cooperative learning approach. The program was directed at developing physical fitness, self-confidence, and social skills, while simultaneously instilling a sense of patriotism and national awareness, particularly for SIJB students, most of whom were born and raised in Malaysia.

Agam stated that the activity was designed to support students’ holistic development while also serving as a medium to disseminate his research results in the field of cooperative learning in physical education.

“The main objective of this activity is to provide meaningful learning experiences for students, especially in building physical literacy and national awareness,” he explained.

Agam noted that the limited mastery of the Indonesian language among most SIJB students posed a particular challenge. Therefore, the learning process was carried out adaptively by combining the use of Indonesian and Malay so that the material could be understood optimally.

The presence of the community service team also created a new atmosphere that increased students’ enthusiasm. Learning activities that integrated the use of information and communication technology, along with traditional games, made the learning process more enjoyable and encouraged students’ motivation to learn.

This activity received full support from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru. A representative of KJRI as well as the Acting Principal of SIJB, Erry Kananga, expressed appreciation for the collaboration in providing quality educational services for Indonesian children in Johor Bahru.

“The Physical Education orogram at UMS reaffirms its commitment to strengthening education, humanity, and Indonesian identity across national borders, as well as encouraging the sustainability of community service programs at the Indonesian School of Johor Bahru in the coming years,” said Erry.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Editor: Fika Annisa' Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid