UMPSA international mobility students celebrate farewell with cultural activities

KUANTAN, 20 January 2024 – The Centre for International Relations (CIR), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), organised the Semester I Mobility Student Farewell Ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic year at Adena Beach Resort.

The event aimed to celebrate the achievements and friendships formed throughout the studies for international mobility students in Malaysia.

The programme also featured recognition for students from various countries, including Pakistan, India, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Yemen, Germany, and China, in a vibrant and lively atmosphere with a ‘Hawaiian’ theme, reflecting a relaxed and colourful environment.

In his speech, the Director of CIR, Associate Professor Dr Mohd Azmir Mohd Azhari, emphasised the importance of international relations and encouraged students to bring the values they learned in Malaysia back to their home countries.

“This mobility programme is not just about academic studies but also an opportunity to build relationships that transcend borders and foster global unity,” he said.

The event was enlivened by a beach explorace activity, where students were divided into groups to complete challenges involving traditional games such as congkak, batu seremban, colek lidi, dam haji, ceper, and coconut bowling.

The activities were not only enjoyable but also introduced Malaysian culture to the international students.

According to a student from Pakistan, Muhammad Talha Nasim, the experience was invaluable.

“I not only learned about Malaysian culture but also built very special friendships,” he said.

The programme recognised the outstanding achievements of the students and commemorated their extraordinary journey at UMPSA.

As a token of appreciation, certificates and exclusive souvenirs of Tenun Pahang Diraja, a symbol of Pahang’s pride, were presented.

The ceremony also featured special performances by staff and mobility students, and a feast offering a variety of Malaysian local dishes for students who had completed their mobility exchange semester.

Additionally, a student from Yemen, Asadaldin Ahmed Yahya Abdullah, representing Universitas Islam Indonesia, took the opportunity to share his experiences and fond memories of cultural differences between countries during the sharing session.

“This moment further strengthens the spirit of unity and appreciation for the diversity of cultural differences between Malaysia and Indonesia, even though I am originally from Yemen,” he said.

The students expressed their gratitude and joy for the meaningful experiences throughout the programme.

The farewell ceremony served as tangible proof that unity and appreciation for diversity can build a more harmonious generation of global leaders.

Although their time in Malaysia, particularly at UMPSA, was brief, the mobility programme left an unforgettable impact on the hearts of the students.

Their goodbyes to new friends were accompanied by tears, reflecting the strong bonds formed throughout the programme.

Despite coming from different continents and cultural backgrounds, they successfully established meaningful and lasting connections.

It is hoped that their experiences at UMPSA will remain a special and cherished chapter in their life journeys.

By: Muhammad Zufli Zuhari, Centre for International Relations (CIR)

Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, UMPSA Press