Bridging Cultures: Student and Lecturer Perspectives on Visiting Academics

Abstract

This study elicits the perspectives of university students and lecturers at the School of Accounting, Faculty of Economic and Business, Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), regarding a visiting lecturer from the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. This is achieved by exploring their views on integrating international academic practices, their impact on student engagement, and potential collaborative opportunities in research and consultation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining focus groups and surveys to capture the experiences and perceptions of students and lecturers regarding the visiting academics during their two-week visit—the research sample comprised university students and lecturers who interacted with the visiting lecturer during this period. The findings indicate that students displayed increased enthusiasm and participation in classes conducted by the visiting lecturer. Both students and lecturers appreciated the cultural exchange, acknowledging its role in enriching the learning environment with diverse perspectives. However, challenges such as language barriers and cultural adaptation were observed, though these were mitigated through support and effective communication. The study stresses the need for structured support systems and improved integration approaches to enhance the effectiveness of visiting lecturer programs. Limitations include the short duration of the visit and the sample size, which may affect the generalizability of findings. This research contributes to the discourse on international academic collaboration by providing insights into improving visiting lecturer programs. It highlights the importance of fostering international academic partnerships to improve educational quality and cross-cultural engagement.