In an effort to foster cultural exchange and create a welcoming environment for international students, a special “Meet and Greet” session was organized by the College of Computing, Informatics, and Mathematics (KPPIM). The event, chaired by Prof. Ts. Dr Haryani Haron, Assistant Vice Chancellor KPPIM, brought together 6 Moroccan students from EMINES School of Industrial Management, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morocco, and 4 students from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Jawa Barat.
The session commenced with an ice-breaking session, opening the opportunity for the inbound students to get acquainted with each other as well as interact with KPPIM’s executive management. The students had the opportunity to share their initial impressions of Malaysia. The topics ranged from the weather and the delicious but spicy local cuisine, to the beauty of the country’s landscapes and the warmth of its people. Some students expressed their fascination with the tropical weather of Malaysia, which was a welcome change from their home countries’ climates.
The event concluded on a high note, with a promise to organize more events to facilitate cross-cultural interaction and understanding. Prof. Ts. Dr Haryani reiterated the university’s commitment to provide a nurturing environment for all students regardless of their background, and encouraged everyone to actively participate in such initiatives.
Inbound student exchange benefits UiTM tremendously and strongly aligns with SDG4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals. Both inbound and host students would also mutually benefit in cultural exchanges and experience different university governance which promotes the achievements of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities as well as SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The objectives of the student exchange program also holistically align with the government’s aspiration of Malaysia Madani.