TARTU, June 5 – A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Educational Science, Mathematics and Creative Multimedia, School of Education (SOE), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Dr Corienna Abdul Talib, had the honor of being invited to the Estonia University of Life Sciences (EMU), Tartu, Estonia, as a Teaching Staff under the Staff Mobility for Erasmus+ Program: MARE-Marine Coastal and Delta Sustainability for Southeast Asia.
Her visit, which took place from May 22, 2023, to May 28, 2023, marked a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
During her visit, Corrienna was actively involved in the International Visit Environmental Science program, joining forces with 35 undergraduate students and two lecturers from Wageningen University, Netherlands, as well as five postgraduate students from Estonian University.
The program, led by the esteemed Prof. Dr. Kalev Sepp, Head of the Department of Environmental Protection and Landscape Management at EMU, aimed to explore various aspects of landscape multifunctionality, biodiversity, ecosystems conservation, restoration ecology, and governance and management strategies in national parks.
One of the highlights of the program was the opportunity to experience the Estonian countryside at the Alvars, which are restored semi-natural meadows, and the majestic Viru Bog in Lahemaa National Park.
As the largest and oldest national park in Estonia, covering an impressive area of about 752 km2, Lahemaa National Park provided insights into the restoration of semi-natural grasslands, coastal meadows, and traditional fishermen’s villages.
Corrienna had the chance to witness the ecosystem services provided by these restored coastal meadows, gaining valuable firsthand knowledge.
Moreover, Dr. Corrienna engaged in fruitful discussions with the EMU director and academic staff, facilitating the exchange of experiences and ideas.
These interactions not only enhanced her knowledge in teaching and learning science but also paved the way for future collaboration and research opportunities between EMU (ranked #37 in QS WUR Ranking by subject 2023) and FSSH, UTM.
The program aimed to establish a strong networking foundation in sustainable development and other disciplines offered by the two esteemed institutions.
Dr. Corrienna’s visit to Estonia University of Life Sciences was a testament to UTM’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and promoting academic excellence.
Through programs like Erasmus+ and the collaboration with EMU, UTM continues to enrich the learning experiences of its students and faculty, ensuring they stay at the forefront of knowledge and innovation in their respective fields.