📝 Summary
The UTM NEXT’26 delegation from Malaysia completed a short course at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, combining academic achievement with cultural immersion through an exploration of Te Ao Māori. The students participated in a cultural exchange, learning traditional Māori practices such as poi making and singing, and reciprocally sharing Malaysian textile art with their Māori hosts. The program aimed to produce globally competent and culturally fluent graduates, aligning with UTM’s strategic vision under UTM ASCEND 2030.
CHRISTCHURCH, Sep 2 – Bringing their academic short course at the University of Canterbury (UC) to a close, the New Zealand XR Trip 2026 (NEXT’26) delegation from the Faculty of Computing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), bridged academic achievement with cultural immersion through an exploration of Te Ao Māori during their New Zealand programme.
Transitioning from the technological focus of previous days, the programme’s concluding session offered students an introduction to the holistic worldview of Te Ao Māori. The session provided the delegation with a deeper understanding of Māori perspectives, core values, and the relationship between people, culture, and the natural world, further enriching their international learning experience.
Students also explored the making and traditional use of poi in Māori dance. Guided by their Māori hosts, the students learned the foundational techniques of using the traditional poi.
The cultural immersion deepened as the delegation learned to sing and perform the traditional waiata (Māori song), “Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi”. This interactive session allowed UTM students to gain a hands-on appreciation for how movement, rhythmic storytelling, and cultural identity are expressed through these traditional practices.
The session then transitioned into a reciprocal cultural exchange between the Malaysian delegation and the local Māori community. The NEXT’26 students took the opportunity to introduce batik canting, a traditional Malaysian textile art, to their hosts.
The UTM students guided Māori participants step-by-step through the batik canting process. This shared activity allowed the delegation to showcase Malaysia’s cultural heritage through an interactive, hands-on experience, creating a meaningful space for creative and cross-cultural exchange between the Malaysian and Māori participants.
By successfully completing the short course at UC and engaging deeply with local Māori traditions, the NEXT’26 delegation demonstrated that meaningful global exposure extends beyond technical acquisition. The blend of academic depth in extended reality (XR) technologies and hands-on cultural exchange provided the NEXT’26 delegation, comprising Bachelor of Computer Science (Graphics and Multimedia Software) with Honours students from the Faculty of Computing, UTM, with a well-rounded international perspective, thoroughly preparing them for the upcoming industry engagement phase of their journey in New Zealand.
This initiative directly aligns with UTM’s strategic vision under UTM ASCEND 2030 to nurture globally competent, culturally fluent, and socially responsible graduates. By fostering mutual respect, cross-cultural understanding, and enduring international partnerships, the NEXT’26 programme reinforces UTM’s commitment to producing future tech leaders who possess both cutting-edge technical expertise and the global mindset needed to thrive on the world stage.
