JOHOR BAHRU, 18 May 2016 – The UTM Language Academy has further strengthened its commitment to social engagement and development of areas outside academia by becoming one of the key consultants at the Johor Bahru Writers and Readers Festival 2016. As part of this initiative, lecturers from a diverse range of expertise were invited to hold workshops to showcase their skills and share their knowledge with the community. Among the workshops offered were: SPEAKING ACTIVITIES: OF COORDINATION AND PRACTICE conducted by Dr. Abdul Halim Abdul Raof & Dr. Masdinah Alauyah Md. Yusof, APPLYING DRAMA TECHNIQUES IN TESL conducted by Dr. Abdullah Mohd Nawi, FUN WITH LYRICS presented by Aminabibi Saidalvi, DRAMA WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE and POETRY WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, both presented by Norhanim Abdul Samat, and GUERRILLA FILM MAKING, co-presented by Ghazali Bunari, otherwise known as Tok Rimau in the arts community. Ghazali, an accomplished independent writer and film-maker, was also one of the prime movers in the organising committee.

From the Johor Bahru Writers and Readers Festival website:
“The Johor Bahru Writers and Readers Festival brings people of all ages and backgrounds to read, write, imagine, and create. With a variety of activities such as workshops, book sales, poetry recitals, and theatre performances, the Festival not only features Johor Bahru’s very own literary and artistic pioneers, but also provides a platform for aspiring, up-and-coming creatives and visionaries to share and showcase their talent. The Festival welcomes everybody to engage, inspire, examine, and celebrate the connection between imagination and creation.”