The APU’s School of General Studies (SoGS) recently held the ‘Malay Language Race 2026’, a student-led co-curricular initiative featuring 18 interactive activity stations designed to immerse international students in the Malay language and local culture, while promoting cross-cultural integration and equipping student organisers with leadership, event management, and communication skills aligned with UN SDGs 4 and 10.

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Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of General Studies (SoGS) recently hosted the ‘Malay Language Race 2026’, a vibrant community engagement initiative designed to immerse international students in the Malay language and Malaysian culture. 

Organised under the university’s Co-Curricular studies initiative, the event provided students with rich experiential learning opportunities far beyond the traditional classroom.

Led by academic advisor Ms Vicknisha Balu alongside SoGS faculty members, the project was managed by Co-Curricular student Project Manager Lee Ern Yee and an energetic student committee.

The centrepiece of the race featured 18 interactive stations meticulously set up across campus.

Each station offered dynamic challenges requiring participants to decipher Malay vocabulary, solve cultural puzzles, and communicate effectively with teammates. 

Facilitators stationed at every checkpoint guided participants, managed schedules, and ensured seamless transitions as teams raced against the clock.

To heighten the excitement, a total prize pool was awarded to the top-performing teams, with the champions taking home RM500, followed by RM400 and RM300 for second and third place respectively.

Beyond language acquisition, the initiative served as an invaluable cross-cultural bridge, fostering camaraderie between international and local students.

Simultaneously, organizing the large-scale event served as an intensive practical workshop for the student committee, honing vital leadership, logistics management, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Reflecting on his experience, international student participant Gregorious Carlos Salvador Lotuloho Da Conceicao shared that being part of the Malay Language Race was a fun and interactive way to learn more about the Malay language and Malaysian culture.

“The activities allowed us to communicate with other students and experience learning Malay in a far more enjoyable environment.”

Highlighting the educational impact of cross-cultural exposure, Mr Ragunathan Ayyavoo, Head of SoGS said, “Programmes such as the Malay Language Race provide students with an opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds while developing important soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership.”

Ms Vicknisha Balu, SoGS lecturer and main supervisor for the initiative, added that experiential learning plays a crucial role in student development, helping participants build confidence while cultivating a genuine appreciation for Malaysia’s rich linguistic heritage.

Directly aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the Malay Language Race 2026 exemplified how student-led initiatives can drive social inclusion, promote cultural harmony, and nurture a tightly-knit global campus community at APU.