Medical Student Mobility Programmes between Malaysia and Indonesia: A Descriptive Analysis of Opportunities, Policies and Regulations
Main Article Content
Abstract
Medical student mobility between Malaysia and Indonesia presents a strategic opportunity for regional integration in health professions education. However, clinical placements across borders are often constrained by fragmented regulations, inconsistent assessment practices, and limited institutional interoperability. The current medical curriculum in Malaysia and Indonesia allows for
medical student mobility programmes through several initiatives. These programmes can build the students’ personal and professional development for future workplace challenges. This study aims to elucidate what opportunities are available, how policies and regulations shape medical student exchange programmes between Malaysia and Indonesia, and what the enabling factors and barriers are to their implementation. A qualitative descriptive analysis of relevant documents was carried out to answer the research questions. Activity theory was use as the analytical framework to analyse the data. There are many opportunities for student mobility programmes in general, but opportunities specific to medical students are limited. Within the ASEAN region, most opportunities are provided by the ASEAN University Network and Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED). Some policies and regulations govern and guide mobility programmes and credit transfer into the medical programmes between the two countries. As student mobility is encouraged within the region, a common framework has been established for seamless credit transfer between the sending and host institutions. Visa requirements and sustainable funding are seen as significant challenges that hinder effective implementation. More memorandums of agreement and memorandums of understanding are recommended between Malaysia and Indonesia to enhance medical students’ mobility programmes. Mutual recognition of academic qualifications is also necessary to facilitate student mobility between the two countries.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Rothwell C, Guilding C, Veasuvalingam B, McKeegan K, Illing J. Identification of multicultural learning experiences following an international cross-campus medical student exchange programme between the UK and Malaysia: a qualitative study. BMJ Open. 2023;13(10):e072808. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072808
Storz MA, Lederer AK, Heymann EP. Medical students from German-speaking countries on abroad electives in Africa: destinations, motivations, trends, and ethical dilemmas. Hum Resour Health. 2022;20(1):9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-022-00707-2
Żebryk P, Przymuszała P, Nowak JK, Cerbin-Koczorowska M, Marciniak R, Cameron H. The impact of ERASMUS exchanges on the professional and personal development of medical students. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(24):13312. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413312
Fujii RNA, Kobayasi R, Enns SC, Tempski PZ. Medical students’ participation in extracurricular activities: motivations, contributions, and barriers. a qualitative study. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2022;13:1133–41. https://doi.org/10.2147/amep.s359047
Malaysian Medical Council. Standards for Undergraduate Medical Education [Internet]. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: MMC; 2022. [cited 2025 Feb 06]. Available from: https://mmc.gov.my/wpcontent/uploads/2024/11/Standards-for-Undergraduate-Medical-Education-2nd-Edition.pdf
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) [Internet]. Yogyakarta: UGM; 2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Exchange Program. Available from: https://oia.ugm.ac.id/category/exchange-program/
Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) [Internet]. Yogyakarta: UGM; 2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Outgoing exchange program. Available from: https://fkkmk.ugm.ac.id/outgoing-elective-program/
Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi Republik Indonesia [Internet]. Jakarta: Kemdikbud; 2020 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Peraturan Menteri Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia nomor 3 tahun 2020 tentang standar nasional pendidikan tinggi. Available from: https://jdih.kemdikbud.go.id/sjdih/siperpu/dokumen/salinan/Salinan%20PERMENDIKBUD%203%20TAHUN%202020%20FIX%20GAB.pdf
Gümüş S, Gök E, Esen M. A Review of research on international student mobility: science mapping the existing knowledge base. J Stud Int Educ. 2020;24(5):495–517. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315319893651
Bista K, Sharma G, Gaulee U. International student mobility: examining trends and tensions. In: Bista K, editor. International student mobility and opportunities for growth in the global market. Hershey; 2018. p. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-3451-8.ch001
ASEAN University Network (AUN). [Internet]. Bangkok, Thailand: AUN; 2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.aunsec.org/
Soejatminah S. ASEAN university network in enhancing student mobility: a case of Indonesia. J Interdiscip Stud Educ. 2018;7(1):19–33. https://doi.org/10.32674/jise.v7i1.1058
Sirat M, Hambali Z [Internet]. Malaysia: The HEAD Foundation; 2020 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. ASEAN’s intra-regional student mobility programmes and Malaysia’s strategic intent [PowerPoint]. Available from: https://digest.headfoundation.org/2020/10/16/aseans-intra-regional-studentmobility-programmes-and-malaysias-strategic-intent/
Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme [Internet]. Bangkok: AIMS; 2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. AIMS programme. Available from: https://aims-rihed.net/
Chao RY. Intra‐ASEAN student mobility: overview, challenges, and opportunities. J Appl Res High Educ. 2023;15(5):1736–51. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-07-2019-0178
Tzioti MK. IFMSA Research Exchange: a life-changing experience. Int J Med Stud. 2023;11(2): 144–6. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2023.1863
Campos LN, Rocha SWS. Student mobility and research capacity: a global health experience. Int J Med Stud. 2021;9(3):237–9. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2021.992
Coker JS, Heiser E, Taylor L. Student outcomes associated with short-term and semester study abroad programs. Front Interdiscip J Study Abroad. 2018;30(2):92–105. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v30i2.414
DeLoach SB, Kurt MR, Olitsky NH. Duration matters: separating the impact of depth and duration in study abroad programs. J Stud Int Educ. 2021;25(1):100–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315319887389
Granja CD, Visentin F. International student mobility and academic performance: does timing matter? Res High Educ. 2024;65(2):322–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-023-09755-6
Mohd Noor Z, Abd Razak A, Gisip J, Mustafa M. Impact of participating AIMS student mobility programme: a UiTM perspective. Akademika. 2020;90:39–49.
Wu A, Maddula V, Singh J, Sagoo MG, Chien CL, Wingate R, et al. Alternatives to student outbound mobility—improving students’ cultural competency skills online to improve global health without travel. Med Sci Educ. 2021;31(4):1441–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01332-9
Elharram M, Dinh T, Lalande A, Ge S, Gao S, Noël G. Global health values of a multidirectional near peer training program in surgery, pathology, anatomy, research methodology, and medical education for Haitian, Rwandan, and Canadian medical students. Ann Glob Health. 2017;83(2):274–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2017.04.003
Kwak J, Chankseliani M. International student mobility and poverty reduction: a cross-national analysis of low- and middle-income countries. Int J Educ Res. 2024;128:102458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102458
Umemiya N, Sugimura M, Kosaikanont R, Nordin NM, Ahmad AL. Impact of a consortium-based student mobility programme: the case of AIMS (Asian International Mobility for Students). J Int Coop Educ. 2024;26(1):49–66. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICE-08-2023-0020
Wu A, Choi E, Diderich M, Shamim A, Rahhal Z, Mitchell M, et al. Internationalisation of medical education—motivations and formats of current practices. Med Sci Educ. 2022;32:733–45. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-022-01553-6
Yang P. Compromise and complicity in international student mobility: the ethnographic case of Indian medical students at a Chinese university. Discourse Stud Cult Polit Educ. 2018;39(5): 694–708. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2018.1435600
Nebukadnedzar MP, Karlina Ambarwati E, Wahyuna YT. International students’ mobility program: experiences of Indonesian students. PROJECT. 2022;5(6):1218–22.
Mok KH, Xiong W, Ke G, Cheung JOW. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international higher education and student mobility: student perspectives from mainland China and Hong Kong. Int J Educ Res. 2021;105:101718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101718
Qureshi SP. Cultural historical activity theory for studying practice-based learning and change in medical education. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2021;12:923–35. https://doi.org/10.2147/amep.s313250
Conn RL, Gormley. G.J., O’Hare S, Kajamaa A. Activity theory in health professions education research and practice. In: Nestel D, Reedy G, McKenna L, Gough S, editors. Clinical education for the health professions. Singapore: Springer; 2023.
Cho HJ, Levesque-Bristol C, Yough M. International students’ self-determined motivation, beliefs about classroom assessment, learning strategies, and academic adjustment in higher education. High Educ. 2021;81(6):1215–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-020-00608-0
Borodina D. International students’ motivation to study abroad: why are you studying at a Hungarian University? J Educ Black Sea Reg. 2022;7(2):24–40. https://doi.org/10.31578/jebs.v7i2.259
Racicot BM, Ferry DL. The impact of motivational and metacognitive cultural intelligence on the study abroad experience. J Educ Issues. 2016;2(1):115–29. https://doi.org/10.5296/jei.v2i1.9021
Abacioglu CS, Epskamp S, Fischer AH, Volman M. Effects of multicultural education on student engagement in low- and high-concentration classrooms: the mediating role of student relationships. Learn Environ Res. 2023;26(3):951–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-023-09462-0
Sandelowski M. Whatever happened to qualitative description? Res Nurs Health. 2000;23(4):334–40. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-240x(200008)23:4%3C334::aid-nur9%3E3.0.co;2-g
Dalglish SL, Khalid H, McMahon SA. Document analysis in health policy research: the READ approach. Health Policy Plan. 2020;35(10):1424–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czaa064
Erasmus+ [Internet]. Brussels: European Commission; c2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. Available from: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals/students/studying-abroad
Fulbright Foreign Student Program [Internet]. Washington (DC): Institute of International Education; c2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Available from: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-student-program
International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) [Internet]. Geneva: IFMSA; c2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Student exchange program. Available from: https://ifmsa.org/studentexchange-program/
University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) [Internet]. Tokyo: UMAP International Secretariat; c2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Programmes. Available from: https://umap.org/programs/
Malaysian Qualifications Agency [Internet]. Selangor: MQA; 2021 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Kompilasi dasar jaminan kualiti pendidikan tinggi (2009–2020). Edisi ketiga. Available from: https://www.mqa.gov.my/new/document/compilationPolicy/2022/June/KOMPILASI%20DASAR%20JK%20PT%202009%20-%202020_FINAL%20MQA%20preview.pdf
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) [Internet]. Putrajaya: MOHE; 2022 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Garis panduan pelaksanaan program mobiliti (inbound) di institusi pendidikan tinggi Malaysia. Available from: https://jpt.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ms/penerbitan/59-buku-garispanduan
Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) [Internet]. Introduction of new mobility programmes (inbound). Kuala Lumpur: EMGS; 2023 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from: https://educationmalaysia.gov.my/get-in-touch/news/introduction-of-new-mobility-programmes-(inbound)
Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi, Sains, dan Teknologi Republik Indonesia [Internet]. Jakarta: Kemdiktisainstek; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Buku panduan merdeka belajar–kampus merdeka 2024. Available from: https://dikti.kemdikbud.go.id/epustaka/buku-panduan-merdeka-belajarkampus-merdeka-Morthe-2024/
Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia [Internet]. Indonesia: Kemendikbud; 2020 Jan 24 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Kemendikbud luncurkan empat kebijakan merdeka belajar: kampus merdeka. Available from: https://www.kemdikbud.go.id/main/blog/2020/01/mendikbud-luncurkan-empat-kebijakan-merdeka-belajar-kampus-merdeka
Ministry of Education (Higher Education) Malaysia [Internet]. Putrajaya: MOE; 2018 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Policy of ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Malaysian Universities Member. Available from: https://agri.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/20190218105928POLICY_OF_AIMS_MALAYSIAN_UNIVERSITIES_MEMBER_31052018.pdf
Lembaga Akreditasi Mandiri Pendidikan Tinggi Kesehatan (LAM PTKes) [Internet]. Jakarta: LAM PTKes; 2019 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Buku 2 – Kriteria dan prosedur akreditasi – Pendidikan Profesi Dokter. Available from: https://lamptkes.org/File-Unduhan-Instrumen-9-kriteria
Badan Akreditasi Nasional Perguruan Tinggi (BAN-PT) [Internet]. Jakarta: BAN PT; c2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.banpt.or.id/
Directorate General of Immigration, Republic of Indonesia [Internet]. Jakarta: Immigration Department; c2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. The official e-Visa website for Indonesia. Available from: https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/
UMAP International Secretariat [Internet]. Tokyo: UMAP; 2019 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. UMAP exchange program and UMAP credit transfer scheme (UCTS) users’ guide. Revision 1.1 Available from: https://umap.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/UCTS_Users_Guide_Revision-1.1.pdf
ASEAN University Network (AUN) [Internet]. Bangkok: AUN Secretariat; c2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. ASEAN credit transfer system (AUNACTS).Available from: https://www.aunsec.org/discover-aun/thematic-networks/aun-acts
Ministry of Education (Higher Education) Malaysia [Internet]. Putrajaya: MOE; 2018 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Guidelines for management of ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Malaysian programme. Available from: https://agri.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/20190218110007GUIDELINES_FOR_MANAGEMENT_OF_AIMS_MALAYSIAN_
PROGRAMME_31052018.pdf
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) [Internet]. Bangi: UKM; c2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Student mobility and exchange programmes. Available from: https://www.ukm.my/pha/exchange/
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) [Internet]. Serdang: UPM; c2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Sponsorship opportunity for mobility program. Available from: https://intl.upm.edu.my/mobility/sponsorship_opportunities_for_mobility_program-11947
Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Republic of Indonesia. Collaborative Scholarship [Internet]. Jakarta: Kemdikbudristek; c2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Available from: https://lpdp.kemenkeu.go.id/en/beasiswa/kolaborasi/beasiswa-kolaborasi-kemdikbudristek
Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Republic of Indonesia [Internet]. Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA). Jakarta: Kemdikbudristek; 2025 [cited 2025 Feb 6]. Available from: https://iisma.kemdikbud.go.id/
ASEAN Secretariat. The future of higher education student mobility in Southeast Asia: possibilities for an intraASEAN scholarship programme. Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat; c2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from: https://asean.org/book/the-future-of-higher-education-student-mobility-insoutheast-asia-possibilities-for-an-intra-asean-scholarship-programme/
Md Amin R [Internet]. Malaysia: Ministry of Higher Education; 2025 [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Higher education policy and development in Malaysia [PowerPoint]. Available from: https://umap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Higher-Education-Policy-and-Development-in-Malaysia.pdf
Engeström Y. Activity theory and individual and social transformation. In: Engeström Y, Miettinen R, Punamaki RL, editors. Perspectives on activity theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1999. p. 19–38.