Evaluating Cross-Border Indonesia–Malaysia University Partnerships in Enhancing Teacher Professional Development: A Comprehensive Impact Analysis

Ayman Aied Mohammed Mamdouh 1 Malaysia , Ahmad Muktamar 2 Indonesia , Ekawati Hamzah 2 Indonesia , Ahmad Ridha Jafar 2 Indonesia
1 Al-Madinah International University (MEDIU), Malaysia
2 Universitas Islam As’adiyah Sengkang, Indonesia
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Published 2026-09-03
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026) PAGES 182-193
DOI 10.51574/ijrer.v6i1.5339
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In the era of regional integration, transnational higher education partnerships are pivotal to elevating educational standards. Grounded in transnational education theory, this study evaluates a bilateral partnership between Indonesian and Malaysian universities designed to enhance teacher pedagogical and guidance counseling competencies. Utilizing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, quantitative data were gathered from 240 secondary educators across three longitudinal time points, analyzed via paired-sample t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA. Qualitative insights were elicited from 18 key informants to contextualize quantitative trends. Baseline-to-follow-up analyses demonstrated statistically significant, sustained gains in pedagogical competencies (M_pre=2.41 vs. M_(follow"-" up)=3.82; t(239)=14.83, p<.001, d=0.96) and counseling competencies (M_pre=2.25 vs. M_(follow"-" up)=3.64; t(239)=12.47, p<.001, d=0.81). Qualitatively, shared socio-cultural alignment (Serumpun ethos) catalyzed cross-institutional adaptability, whereas administrative incongruence—mismatched academic calendars, credit transfer friction, and divergent certification standards—constituted primary structural barriers. Ultimately, this study advances a scalable cross-border professional development framework for educational leaders and policymakers aiming to mitigate institutional friction within ASEAN higher education.

Mamdouh, A. A. M., Muktamar, A., Hamzah, E., & Jafar, A. R. (2026). Evaluating Cross-Border Indonesia–Malaysia University Partnerships in Enhancing Teacher Professional Development: A Comprehensive Impact Analysis . ETDC: Indonesian Journal of Research and Educational Review , 6(1), 182–193. https://doi.org/10.51574/ijrer.v6i1.5339
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ayman Aied Mohammed Mamdouh, Ahmad Muktamar, Ekawati Hamzah, Ahmad Ridha Jafar

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Keywords
Cross-Border Partnership Guidance and Counseling Indonesia–Malaysia Institutional Collaboration Teacher Professional Development