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The Atrium of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) came alive with colour, culture, and connection as it transformed into a vibrant hub of tradition and discovery for the much-anticipated Culture Workshop 2025, held on 1st July 2025.

Led and organised by Mr Ragunathan Ayyavoo (Head, School of General Studies at APU) and Ms Neeshanti Rhamaroo (Lecturer, School of General Studies at APU) in collaboration with the Malay World Ethnology Museum, the event served as a vibrant showcase of Malaysian heritage and aimed to foster cultural exchange between local and international students, especially the visiting academic staff and students from De Montfort University (DMU), through a series of engaging and interactive experiences. 

Key contributors of the event included:

1. Lecturers from the School of General Studies at APU
2. Co-Curricular module students
3. Assoc Prof Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan (Associate Professor, School of Computing at APU)
    

From the moment students stepped into the Atrium, they were welcomed with traditional games such as congkak, batu seremban, dam haji, tuju tin, capteh, and bowling kelapa, which brought nostalgic fun and friendly competition.

One of the main attractions was the traditional attire booth, where students excitedly dressed in colourful ethnic wear and captured memorable moments at the themed photo corner, filling the air with laughter and curiosity as they explored different cultures through fashion.

Adding depth to the experience was the captivating Wayang Kulit demonstration, offering a rare glimpse into this traditional Malay storytelling artform, to which the students also got hands-on by learning to craft their own mini shadow puppets. 

Student Perspectives

A few perspective from students:

1. Winnie Leong Ven Eer, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence: “Participating in the event gave me the chance to reconnect with my roots and relearn the traditional games i had long forgotten, deepening my appreciation for Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and reminding me of the pride i feel as a Malaysian.”
2. Fatima Binte Faiz Adreeta, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence: “The event allowed me to experience traditional Malaysian games, which i found both therapeutic and fun, while the hands-on activities deepened my appreciation for the artistry and cultural significance behind crafts like Wayang Kulit.”
3. Javintri Manji, student from DMU: “Experiencing Malaysian culture through traditional games and attire offered a fun and exciting introduction to local heritage, inspiring me to embrace and appreciate cultural diversity in both my personal journey and future experiences.”
    

Fostering Unity through Cultural Understanding

The Culture Workshop 2025 successfully bridged cultural gaps by creating an engaging platform where students could appreciate and celebrate diversity through enjoyable, hands-on cultural experiences.

On top of that, the event left a lasting impression on all who attended, filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful connections, while reflecting APU’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity, global understanding, and the promotion of cultural exchange.