Think Global, Act Local: Strategies to Develop a Sustainable Mobility Programme in Promoting Socio-Economic Development for a Better Quality Education

Sustaining a mobility programme at higher learning institutions requires dedication and commitment from all parties involved. However, it is difficult to sustain a mobility programme due to several factors such as financial support, marketability of the programme, the number of participants attending, and the institution’s political changes. In view of this, a good reference model is required to identify the challenges and provide the solution needed to sustain the mobility programme. A model has been developed, and it provides the identification of challenges and detailed solutions required. The model’s success is discussed through its implementation on a mobility programme known as UKM-GSMP, which has been running for more than a decade. This had further proved that with proper model, strategy and execution, it is possible to sustain a mobility programme for a period of time. Stakeholders’ interviews showed that the program has provided the students with good experience, and knowledge and helped them understand the local culture, leading to better education quality. The programme had also benefited the institution socio-economic development via the income generation and good branding for the university.