On 1st August, 16 Lancaster University students from various faculties were welcomed by the National University of Malaysia, Faculty of Education, to study at the International Summer School in TESOL with Cultural Component at UKM. The summer school was set up in 2022 as part of LU-UKM Partnership to enhance students’ global educational, cultural and professional experiences. Lancaster students will be spending one month in Malaysia learning about second language teaching methods, volunteering in local schools and enjoying diverse cultural programme set up by the UKM Global team.

The opening ceremony of this program was held in the Council Room, Chancellor's Building, UKM with a welcome word from YBhg. Prof. Dr. Mohd Mahzan Awang, Dean of the Faculty of Education. In his speech, Professor Mahzan encouraged cultural assimilation and language sharing between UKM students and foreign students: "As a national university, UKM will always be at the forefront in nurturing cultural heritage and language as the most important agenda of the country". Associate Professor Dr. Oksana Afitska, academic coordinator of mobility program from the English Language and Linguistics Department, Lancaster University, expressed her appreciation for the willingness of UKM to make this program a success. Dr Afitska instilled words of encouragement into the participants to use this mobility program as an opportunity to further advance their cultural experiences, personal and professional skills in a friendly and stimulating learning environment. The opening ceremony was also attended by the Associate Professor Dr. Abdul Latiff Ahmad, Director UKM Global International Relations Centre, UKM; Senior Lecturer Dr. Nur Ehsan Mohd Said, academic coordinator of the mobility program from the Faculty of Education, UKM; Deputy Deans, UKM; lecturers and faculty management team.

During the first week of the programme, Lancaster students attended series of lectures and seminars equipping them with theoretical and practical knowledge on second language teaching methods in preparation for volunteering services in local schools in the upcoming two weeks.