Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia — Students from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) participated in an International Educational Teaching Practicum (PK) at Sekolah Indonesia Kota Kinabalu (SIKK), Sabah, Malaysia, from August 10 to September 1, 2026. The program was carried out by Fatma Ayu Putri Isma, Syarafa Syamila, and Habiba Zaida Aziza Nur Rohma, students in the Mathematics Education Study Program, who worked with junior secondary and vocational secondary school students at SIKK.

Through this program, the students were directly involved in mathematics instruction while providing guidance to help learners develop their mathematical thinking skills. The International Educational Teaching Practicum served as an opportunity for the students to gain professional experience in an international educational environment and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education.

Throughout the practicum, the students participated in planning and delivering mathematics lessons based on the Kurikulum Merdeka (Independent Curriculum), adapted to students' needs and characteristics. The lessons were designed not only to help students arrive at correct answers but also to provide opportunities to understand concepts, identify relevant information, select appropriate problem-solving strategies, engage in reasoning, and communicate their mathematical thinking.

During the learning process, the university students served as both educators and facilitators. Various learning activities were designed to encourage active student participation and provide opportunities for learners to express their ideas, explain their strategies, and discuss solutions to mathematical problems. The university students also interacted and collaborated with school personnel to support the implementation of teaching and learning activities at SIKK.

The International Educational Teaching Practicum provided valuable learning experiences for both parties. Students at SIKK gained opportunities to receive guidance and experience a wider variety of mathematics learning activities, while the university students gained practical experience in applying their pedagogical and professional competencies in an educational environment with characteristics different from those of schools in Indonesia.

The university students' involvement in classroom instruction also formed part of the efforts to support educational provision for Indonesian students in Kota Kinabalu. Teaching practices that give students opportunities to develop conceptual understanding, reasoning, communication, and problem-solving skills align with the spirit of SDG 4, which promotes quality education and inclusive learning opportunities for every learner.

For the university students, their experience at SIKK provided an opportunity to develop adaptability, communication, collaboration, and classroom management skills in an international educational context. The experience also broadened their understanding of the importance of considering students' characteristics, needs, and learning environments when designing mathematics instruction.

Through the International Educational Teaching Practicum in Malaysia, the Mathematics Education Study Program at UNY continues to provide students with opportunities to gain teaching experience in broader educational contexts while contributing to educational activities. This initiative represents part of the university's efforts to prepare competent and adaptable future educators who can develop meaningful mathematics learning experiences across diverse educational settings.