INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION IN STUDENT TALENT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE “PASIR GUDANG TALENT SKILL” EVENT, JOHOR, MALAYSIA

Abstract

The digital era has increasingly driven students to engage more with technology than with social and creative self-development activities. This condition presents challenges in nurturing young people’s talents and fostering collaborative character among the younger generation. The Pasir Gudang Talent Skill program was organized to provide a platform for students to express their interests and talents through enjoyable and participatory educational activities. The main objectives of this program were to enhance learning motivation, strengthen positive character, and broaden students’ perspectives on cross-border self-development opportunities.The implementation methodology adopted an experiential learning approach, consisting of several stages: ice-breaking, talent exploration, and inspirational seminars collaboratively designed by Universitas Riau Kepulauan (UNRIKA), UiTM MARA Johor, and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). The program was conducted over two days in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, involving students from various schools as active participants. The results revealed a significant improvement in students’ self-confidence and communication skills after participating in the talent expression sessions. Approximately 85% of participants reported gaining new experiences in recognizing their personal potential, while 88% expressed increased motivation to continue developing their talents in their respective fields. Moreover, the program effectively fostered cross-cultural collaboration and reduced students’ dependency on excessive gadget use. These findings affirm that a collaborative and experience-based approach can serve as an effective model for student talent development at both regional and international levels.