UMPSA GLOBAL CLASSROOM: BRIDGING BORDERS WITH A GUEST SPEAKER FROM THE UNITED STATES
PEKAN, 23 April 2025 - The pursuit of global perspectives took centre stage at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) during a Global Classroom session organised by the Centre of Instructional Resources & e-Learning (CIReL) in collaboration with the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), UMPSA. This meaningful virtual session connected 55 UMPSA diploma and degree students with a distinguished international guest speaker from the United States through the Microsoft Teams platform. It was conducted for 2 hours. All these students are currently enrolling in the English for Academic Communication course this semester.
This Global Classroom session offered students an authentic opportunity to interact with Nurulwahida Jamaludin from Schneider Electric, based in Tennessee, USA. As an engineer at Schneider Electric, she holds the position of Protection, Control and Automation US Offer Manager; a role that requires her to use English in a real-world, global corporate setting.
A Real-World Perspective from Across the Globe
Nurulwahida brought with her a wealth of knowledge and experience from her time at a multinational company, where communication, collaboration, and professionalism are essential. Her lecture highlighted the importance of persuasive skills in the global workplace, alongside the need for adaptability and clarity in professional interactions. She also shared her journey, from her undergraduate studies in Korea to her professional experience in Japan, offering students valuable insights into working across cultures.
Her session, titled “From Panic to Power: Persuade on the Spot,” resonated deeply with the students, as they are preparing for an upcoming speaking assessment, a persuasive presentation that requires them to deliver an impromptu speech on a wide range of topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The session also aimed to help students recognise the importance of persuasive skills in the workplace.
“English is more than just a language skill. It is a tool for connection, collaboration, and career growth,” Nurulwahida emphasised. “The ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, especially in diverse teams, not only opens doors to opportunities beyond borders but also strengthens one’s ability to persuade and convince others effectively in professional settings”.
Student Engagement and Interactive Learning
The session was moderated by two UMPSA students, Abby Chong Jia Qi and Abu Afiq Hakimi bin Abu Yazid. The course coordinator for English for Academic Communication, Aisyah Hanum Abu Bakar, along with two other instructors, Noor Azlinda Zainal Abidin and Amy Zulaikha Mohd Ali, were the instructors who connected the students with the guest speaker. During the session, students were encouraged to participate actively. A few of the students managed to ask insightful questions during the interactive Q&A segment.
Participants were eager to learn how to prepare for impromptu speaking, asking questions about how to manage panic and stage fright, as well as how to organise their thoughts quickly. One student remarked, “This session helped me see how the persuasive skills we are learning in class apply in real life. Hearing directly from someone who works internationally gave me the confidence to believe that I, too, can succeed globally.”
Strengthening Global Competence through Language
The Global Classroom initiative aligns with UMPSA’s commitment to developing globally competent graduates. Through virtual international engagements like this, students are exposed to diverse perspectives and real-world expectations, which significantly enrich their academic journey.
Through interactive virtual sessions with international educators, industry professionals, and thought leaders, students are exposed to a wealth of global perspectives and real-world expectations. These engagements enrich their academic experience, helping them appreciate cultural diversity and understand their place in a globalised society.
Furthermore, the initiative exemplifies how technology can transform the education sector. Despite geographical distance, the virtual classroom bridges continents, offering impactful, inspiring, and inclusive learning experiences that transcend borders.
Looking Ahead
UMPSA’s Centre for Modern Languages (CML) continues to elevate its Global Classroom initiative, reinforcing its commitment to internationalisation and educational innovation. With an increasing number of sessions now offered across Basic, Standard, and Advanced levels, the initiative provides a dynamic platform for cross-cultural exchange and academic enrichment.
CML remains committed to its mission of connecting students with diverse global voices across various industries and disciplines. Through engagement with international educators, professionals, and thought leaders, students develop not only linguistic competence but also global awareness, critical thinking, and intercultural communication skills, qualities essential in today’s interconnected world.
The Global Classroom is more than a lecture series; it is a gateway to global engagement. It empowers learners through language, enriches them through shared learning, and inspires them through leadership. Through these meaningful collaborations, UMPSA is shaping graduates who are not only academically capable but also globally minded and ready to thrive in a competitive and ever-evolving international workforce.
Prepared by: Noor Azlinda Zainal Abidin, Aisyah Hanum Abu Bakar & Amy Zulaikha Mohd Ali