THE DEFINITION

Taylor’s University Global Engagement pro vice-chancellor Professor J S Perry Hobson said student mobility, commonly known as student exchange, is a programme that facilitates the international exchange of students between two institutions for a short duration within three to 12 months of study.

It usually allows for a transfer of academic credits to the existing degree programme at the student’s home institution.

“It is often referred to more broadly as ‘student mobility’ because many universities not only include semester exchange, but also short-term mobility of two- to three-week summer school and, in some cases, internships as well as field and study trips.

“Participating in an exchange programme is one way that students can grow, mature and learn to become more independent adults,” he added.

UM International Student Center director Salmi Marsita Shaari said, in the Malaysian context, mobility students can be divided into two categories — inbound and outbound.

“An inbound student refers to a foreign national or a Malaysian citizen who is currently registered as a student at a higher education institution overseas and temporarily pursuing academic or academic-related programme at any Malaysian higher education institution (public or private) as a non-graduating student.

“An outbound student refers to a Malaysian student or a foreign national who is currently studying at a Malaysian higher education institution (public or private) and is temporarily pursuing academic or academic related programme at an institution or organisation overseas.

“On the other hand, a one-way study abroad programme is a fee-paying course that runs for two to three weeks,” she added.

The benefit of student mobility programmes goes beyond academics as they are not only confined to in-class learning but also designed to expose students to a different education and cultural experience.