The collaboration between Universitas Trisakti (USAKTI) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak, Malaysia, has continued to strengthen over time. Previously, both universities had engaged in joint activities, such as collaborative art exhibitions and public lectures as part of their inbound and outbound programs. As an effort to further solidify this partnership, the two institutions once again organized a collaborative event titled “International Talk and Gathering” on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at KUIKK. This event was centered around the theme “Multiculturalism and Cross-Culture in Higher Education through Internationalization Programs.”

The event welcomed 18 UiTM Sarawak students from various academic disciplines, accompanied by the Deputy Rector for Student Affairs, *Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saimi bin Bujang*, along with a faculty member. USAKTI and UiTM Sarawak share several similarities, particularly in their demographic composition, as both universities have a diverse student body consisting of individuals from various ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Given such a multicultural environment, cross-cultural understanding is essential in fostering synergy to achieve common goals.

The participation of students from different backgrounds in this event further emphasized the shared diversity between USAKTI and UiTM Sarawak. UiTM Sarawak contributed two student presenters: *Ariff Luqman Bin Mohammad Hassan and Muhammad Nursaiful Idham Bin Abdullah.* The first presenter provided an overview of the cultural diversity in Sarawak, covering aspects such as ethnic groups, architecture, culinary traditions, and traditional textiles and attire that have been well preserved. Meanwhile, the second presenter discussed the learning culture at UiTM, including the integration of digital applications in student administration and the learning management system.

From USAKTI, *Kirana Iskandan,* Chair of the USAKTI Student Activity Coordination Council, participated as a presenter. In her presentation, she elaborated on *Betawi traditional culture,* which represents the indigenous ethnic group of Jakarta, the city where Universitas Trisakti is located. She also highlighted the achievements of USAKTI’s *Student Activity Units* in the field of arts and culture, which have gained recognition both locally and internationally.
The keynote speaker of the event was *Ir. Agus Guntoro, M.Si., Ph.D.,* Director of KUIKK at USAKTI. He emphasized that *higher education institutions serve as agents of change, shaping future leaders who are creative, inspiring, honest, dedicated, and capable of problem-solving, while also fostering cross-cultural understanding.* Within the framework of internationalization, it is crucial to uphold national cultural values as part of national identity, while cross-cultural awareness is necessary for the successful implementation of internationalization programs. This perspective aligns with the *Trikrama values of Universitas Trisakti,* which emphasize inclusivity, diversity, and moderation among different societal groups. Furthermore, the appreciation of culture and diversity is reflected in various academic and extracurricular activities, including both inbound and outbound programs.