Universitas Muhammadiyah (Unismuh) Makassar and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Malaysia held an international seminar titled "Transforming the Future of Education: Integration of Exact Sciences, Social Sciences, and Curriculum" at the Unismuh Makassar Campus on Tuesday (7/7/2026). This forum served as a strategic venue for academics from both countries to discuss educational challenges amidst rapid technological developments.
Vice Rector IV of Unismuh Makassar, Dr. Burhanuddin, emphasized that this cross-border collaboration is a concrete step by the university to enhance its global academic reputation. "We continue to encourage the upgrading of lecturer qualifications and expand our international network, including further study opportunities for our young teaching staff at UPSI Malaysia," he said when opening the event.
In the main session, Vice Rector I of Unismuh Makassar, Prof. Dr. H. Andi Sukri Syamsuri, highlighted the importance of preserving Bugis-Makassar local wisdom values, namely sipakatau (humanizing fellow human beings), sipakainge (reminding one another), and sipakalebbi (respecting one another). According to him, no matter how advanced technology becomes, the pedagogical relationship built by teachers can never be replaced by machines.
A similar view was expressed by the delegation from UPSI Malaysia. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norazilawati binti Abdullah stressed that educational transformation must be carried out holistically. She reminded that teachers must first determine learning objectives before selecting the right technological instruments, ensuring the learning process remains meaningful rather than simply replacing terminology without substantial change.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Rahaimah binti Ali shared strategies for overcoming student anxiety toward mathematics through the use of smartphone-based educational games. She emphasized that technology integration should be able to make subjects considered difficult more approachable and relevant to students' daily lives.
On the other hand, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norwaliza binti Abdul Wahab highlighted the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in campus environments. She asserted that students may use AI as a guide, but academic ethics and deep understanding remain the primary responsibility of learners. She concluded with a message for educators not only to produce tech-savvy graduates, but also individuals with empathy and a strong cultural identity.
