Celebrating Heritage through Cultural Exchange at UTM

Mohd Rustam Mohd Rameli

SKUDAI, Apr 16 – The vibrant colors, rhythms, and traditions of Malaysia were showcased in a lively cultural event organized by the Faculty of Educational Studies and Technology (FEST) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Held in the Seminar Room at FEST, the event brought together local and international communities to celebrate unity in diversity.

With the theme “Embracing Heritage, Celebrating Identity,” the Malaysian Cultural Showcase welcomed special guests from the University of Huelva (UHU) in Spain, West Visayas State University (WVSU) in the Philippines, as well as international students currently studying at FEST. Their participation added a valuable global perspective to the local celebration.

The event began with a warm welcome and an opening speech by Dr. Mohd Rustam Mohd Rameli, the Manager of External and Global Engagement at UTM. In his address, he emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy and highlighted how events like this foster lasting connections among people from different backgrounds.

The audience was then treated to a captivating performance of the traditional Zapin dance. The elegant movements and rhythmic music garnered admiration from the crowd, many of whom were experiencing it for the first time. The energy continued to build with an impressive demonstration of Silat, a traditional Malay martial art that combines strength, control, and grace.

Local students showcasing traditional Malaysian dance, sharing the richness of our culture with international friends

In addition to the performances, the showcase featured 11 interactive cultural booths, each offering hands-on experiences with traditional Malaysian games and crafts. Guests eagerly tried their hand at playing batu seremban, spinning gasing, and competing in ceper and ting ting. The event also showcased traditional attire and musical instruments, including gamelan sets, which piqued the interest of international students. For many attendees, especially the international guests, it was more than just a cultural event; it served as a bridge to understanding Malaysian society beyond the classroom.

UTM students introducing international participants to Congkak, a beloved traditional Malaysian game

“We’ve learned about Malaysian culture, but experiencing it firsthand is entirely different,” said Alba, a visiting student from Spain. “It’s warm, rich, and feels very inclusive.”

An international student tries her hand at playing the traditional Malaysian gamelan, watched with curiosity and excitement by fellow international participants.

The event concluded with informal mingling over light refreshments, during which students and guests shared stories and laughed together. This demonstrated that cultural understanding often starts with a simple shared experience. The Malaysian Cultural Showcase successfully achieved its goals—not only to entertain but also to educate and connect people. It reminded everyone in attendance that even though we may come from different backgrounds, culture has a unique power to unite us.