Yogyakarta, Indonesia | 15–19 September 2025
From September 15 to 19, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie from the Faculty of Sports Science and Recreation (FSR), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, completed a five-day Visiting Professor program at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences (FIKK), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), Indonesia.
The program served as a platform to enhance academic collaboration in sports science, physical education, community wellness, and traditional martial arts, particularly Silat Melayu as a cultural and scientific heritage.
Organized by FIKK UNY and supported by UiTM’s AIRBORNE Research Interest Group (RIG), the visit also included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zarizi Ab. Rahman (Faculty of Education, UiTM), strengthening the long-standing partnership between both universities through research, lectures, and intercultural exchanges.
Day 1 – Monday, 15 September 2025: Arrival and Orientation
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie arrived at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) at 11:20 a.m. and was received by Dr. Sigit Antoni, M.Or. Following lunch and hotel check-in at Loman Hotel, the day concluded with a welcoming dinner hosted by Dr. Enggista Hendriko Delano, M.Or., and faculty representatives from UNY.
The evening provided an informal introduction to local hospitality and the academic environment awaiting the program’s official start.
Day 2 – Tuesday, 16 September 2025: Academic Engagements Begin
The morning began with a short journey to the UNY campus, accompanied by Sabda Hussain As Shafi, M.Or.
A courtesy visit and official discussion with the Dean and senior management of FIKK UNY marked the formal opening of the Visiting Professor program.
From 9:20 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie delivered the first lecture, Sports Health: Education and Global Perspectives, at RSU GPLA, joined by Dr. Indah, Dr. Nurul, and Dr. Sigit Dwi.
The session emphasized the importance of holistic education and global health awareness within physical education curricula.
After lunch, the second session focused on interactive approaches to sports health education, moderated by Dr. Nurul Huda, highlighting active learning techniques and international pedagogical models.
Later in the afternoon, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie engaged in a research and publication dialogue with Dr. Sigit Antoni, M.Or. and Dr. Rizki Mulyawan, M.Or., discussing joint publication plans between UiTM and UNY.
The day concluded with a formal dinner and cultural exchange at the faculty lounge.
Day 3 – Wednesday, 17 September 2025: Research, Graduate Classes, and Collaboration
The third day began with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie’s lecture titled Sports Health and Issues in Physical Education, held in the Main Senate Hall (Ruang Sidang Utama IKOR) and moderated by Dr. Enggista Hendriko Delano, M.Or. and Dr. Ari Iswanto, M.Pd.
A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with the PUI-PT Research Team, led by Wahyu Aji Nugroho, M.Or, where both parties explored collaborative research opportunities in sports science, Silat, and physical education.
In the afternoon, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie conducted a postgraduate session for Master’s and Doctoral students (S2 & S3) on Strategies in Physical Education and International Collaboration at the Senate Meeting Room, moderated by Sabda Hussain As Shafi, M.Or.
Parallel sessions were also conducted:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie led a workshop on Health Education for Undergraduates, assisted by Muh. Batistuta Fitoni, M.Or.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zarizi Ab. Rahman delivered a class on Testing, Measurement, and Evaluation with Wahyu Aji Nugroho, M.Or.
The evening concluded with a dinner meeting at Hotel Loman, further strengthening collegial ties between the Malaysian and Indonesian teams.
Day 4 – Thursday, 18 September 2025: Cultural Immersion and Field Visits
A full-day Cultural Immersion Program from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. was organized by Fadli Ihsan, M.Or. and Dr. Rezha Arzhan H., M.Pd.
The visits included several of Yogyakarta’s most symbolic landmarks:
- Candi Prambanan – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Indonesia’s most iconic Hindu temples.
- Tugu Jogja – the city’s emblem of unity and resilience.
- Kraton Yogyakarta – the royal palace representing the Javanese monarchy and traditional arts.
- Jogja Martial Arts Store – an exchange visit to observe the local martial arts community, training equipment, and cultural merchandise.
- Malioboro Street and Beringharjo Market – cultural and economic centers showcasing local creativity and craftsmanship.
Throughout the journey, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie discussed the concept of “Cultural Sports Diplomacy”, emphasizing how traditional martial arts like Silat can serve as academic and cultural bridges between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Day 5 – Friday, 19 September 2025: Morning Wellness and Farewell
On the final day, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie joined the weekly morning exercise session with academic staff at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences (FIK UNY) from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The session highlighted UNY’s strong commitment to faculty wellness and community integration, where lecturers and staff participate in regular physical activities to foster teamwork, health awareness, and active living on campus.
This engagement provided a valuable opportunity for informal discussions on the relationship between academic productivity and personal well-being, aligning closely with UiTM’s own philosophy of holistic education through movement and mindfulness.
Immediately after the morning program, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie departed for Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA), concluding a five-day journey of academic excellence, cultural diplomacy, and cross-institutional friendship between UiTM and UNY.
Conclusion
The Visiting Professor Program at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) successfully fulfilled its mission of knowledge exchange, research partnership, and intercultural learning.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie’s participation underscored the unity between science, education, and tradition — showing how martial arts and sports science can coexist as instruments of health, culture, and diplomacy.
The program strengthened UiTM’s role as a regional hub for martial arts research and wellness education, while also reflecting UNY’s exemplary integration of physical health into academic life.
Future collaborations include a Nusantara Sports and Silat Symposium (2026), joint research publications, and expanded partnerships under IMACSSS 2027 in Padang, Indonesia.
Key Outcomes and Impact
- Academic Knowledge Exchange
Four major lectures and workshops delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Nizam Mohamed Shapie inspired faculty and students to apply global sports science concepts within local educational frameworks. - Research and Publication Collaboration
Productive meetings with UNY researchers led to the formulation of joint publication plans focusing on sports biomechanics, martial arts education, and Silat-based wellness frameworks. - Postgraduate Co-Supervision Initiatives
Discussions paved the way for future UiTM–UNY postgraduate co-supervision, encouraging cross-institutional mentorship and regional research mobility. - Cultural Diplomacy through Silat Melayu
The visit positioned Silat Melayu as both a scholarly subject and a cultural connector—advancing Malaysia’s image as a leader in martial arts research and cultural diplomacy.
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