KOBE, JAPAN — Seven lecturers from the English Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, strengthened their international academic network through an academic visit to With The World (WTW), an international education company based in Kobe, Japan, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Titled Academic Visit to With The World, the visit served as a strategic step to broaden faculty members' international perspectives, develop innovations in English language teaching, and reinforce the implementation of the ongoing academic partnership between Unismuh Makassar and With The World.
The involvement of the majority of English Education faculty members highlights the study program's commitment to continuously improving the quality of globally oriented education, particularly in enhancing interpersonal communication skills, cross-cultural interaction abilities, and the integration of technology in English language learning.
Seven English Education Lecturers Engaged in International Collaboration
The FKIP Unismuh Makassar delegation consisted of seven lecturers from the English Education Study Program: Dr. Andi Bulkis Maghfirah Mannong, S.Pd., M.Pd. (Head of the FKIP Unismuh Cooperation Unit); Dr. Farisha Andi Baso, S.Pd., M.Pd.; Dr. Ratu Yulianti Natsir, S.Pd., M.Pd.; Dr. Sitti Maryam Hamid, S.Pd., M.Pd.; Dr. Eka Prabawati Rum, S.Pd., M.Pd.; Ardiana, S.Pd., M.Pd.; and Uyunnasirah Hambali, S.Pd., M.Pd. The delegation was also joined by Nurazmi, S.Pd., M.Pd., from the Physics Education Study Program.
The team was welcomed by Shodai Fujiwa, Manager of the Educational Team, alongside Thanittaya Igarashi and Wulandari Nikomangayu from the Global Team at With The World.
The agenda included benchmarking, institutional profile presentations, academic discussions, and the signing of implementation agreements. Through these sessions, the lecturers gained valuable insights, exchanged experiences, and explored best practices in international education program development implemented by With The World.
For the English Education faculty, the meeting held particular significance in advancing English language instruction beyond linguistic competence toward authentic communication, active collaboration, and understanding cultural diversity in an international context.
Unlocking Opportunities for Globally Oriented English Learning Innovations
A key focus of the visit was the Online International Exchange model developed by With The World. The program brings together students from different countries through online learning and discussions, enabling them to exchange perspectives on social, cultural, and environmental issues, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This learning model offers a relevant framework for higher education English instruction, particularly in creating communicative, collaborative, and real-world learning experiences.
Through cross-border interactions, English language learning extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Students have the opportunity to use English to express opinions, engage in discussions, solve problems, and build an understanding of diverse cultural perspectives.
This experience aligns directly with the development of future English educators who possess strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to leverage technology effectively in teaching.
For the English Education Study Program at FKIP Unismuh Makassar, this visit opens doors to explore collaborative international classrooms, virtual exchange programs, joint research projects, and other academic initiatives involving faculty and students from partner institutions.
With The World as a Partner in International Education Development
With The World is an educational technology and service company founded on April 2, 2018, headquartered in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The company focuses on global education development, cultural exchange, and institutional collaboration.
According to its institutional profile on the EDU-Port Nippon platform, With The World has established an educational network spanning 67 countries, partnering with over 500 schools and institutions, and reaching approximately 20,000 participants annually.
With The World’s expertise in international learning serves as a rich learning resource for English Education lecturers to understand global educational practices, technology integration in intercultural interaction, and multi-institutional collaborative learning models.
During the meeting in Kobe, both parties also explored potential collaborations in teaching and instruction, joint research, and community engagement to identify concrete activities tailored to each institution's academic goals.
Strengthening Sustainable Collaboration Between Unismuh Makassar and With The World
Institutional ties between Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar and With The World have been established since 2021, notably through virtual international classrooms that allow students to interact and learn alongside peers worldwide.
The October 2026 academic visit marks a continuation of this partnership. A key highlight was the formal signing of cooperation implementation documents, solidifying institutional bonds and paving the way for more actionable follow-up initiatives.
For the English Education Study Program, this sustained partnership is expected to drive innovative learning design, elevate faculty professional competence, expand students' international exposure, and strengthen collaborative research efforts.
The outcomes of the visit are also positioned to inform curriculum enhancements, technology-driven teaching strategies, and academic activities that integrate English proficiency with cross-cultural communication skills.
Through the active involvement of seven English Education lecturers in this academic visit, FKIP Unismuh Makassar continues to bridge local educational practices with global developments.
Moving forward, these efforts aim to translate meetings and signed agreements into measurable, sustainable academic programs that deliver real benefits for faculty growth, student learning quality, and the internationalization of Unismuh Makassar’s English Education Study Program.