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Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently hosted an international student exchange programme involving participants from the University of Kochi (UoK).

The five-day programme was organised by the Nutrition Programme under the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP) and marks the first initiative ahead of a planned Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.

FSMP Dean Prof Hasmadi Mamat said the programme reflects UMS’ commitment to expanding international academic collaboration.

“This exchange is not merely an academic visit but an early manifestation of the upcoming MoU between UMS and the UoK,” he said in a statement.

Throughout the programme, students from Kochi participated in experiential learning sessions, including visits to the Penampang Nutrition Information Centre, Sabah Women and Children Hospital, and the UMS Hospital dialysis centre.

Activities also included nutrition education and promotion sessions, Malaysian cooking demonstrations from a nutritional anthropology perspective, and research-sharing sessions between students and lecturers.

The initiative aimed to expose participants to Malaysia’s nutrition practices, healthcare system, and diverse food culture, while providing opportunities for comparison with practices in Japan.

Nutrition Programme head Dr Noor Atiqah Aizan said the programme aligns with UMS’ aspiration to become an internationally recognised hub for nutrition studies.

She said the initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between Malaysia and Japan in advancing global nutrition research.