‘Tang yuan’ brings people together
USM students make rice ball dessert to build a stronger bond
GEORGE TOWN: It was a joyous occasion at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as around 100 students from different races gathered to make tang yuan (glutinous rice balls).
Tang yuan is a must-have dessert for the Winter Solstice Festival, regardless of age and background.
The students from different backgrounds made the multi-coloured
tang yuan during the event yesterday.
Among them were Mani Vannan, 21, Ain Rafidah Sidik, 21, A’ Inul Mardhiah Ahmad, 21, Rebecca Lopez, 20, Nur Alisa Abdul Mutalib, 21, Nur Syahira Asri, 21, Nur Huda Hormat, 22, Joanna Grace, 20, and Christianty Marsi Ttauli Siahan, 20, who all found the hands-on experience eye-opening.
“I am very excited to participate in this event.
“This is my first time making tang yuan.
“I am indeed very happy!” said Rebecca.
Event project director Leong Chi Wey, 21, said the event this year was more meaningful as they had invited students from different races to participate and roll tang yuan together.
“It is an annual event, but this year it is special as we have invited students from other races to join us.
“Through this activity, we hope that students from different backgrounds can build a stronger and closer relationship with one another,” said Leong.
The event committee delivered the freshly-made tang yuan to Persatuan Syukur Penyayang Pulau Pinang in an effort to spread love and warmth to old folks at the home in Sungai Ara.
Publicity head Yong Qian Wei, 21, said the committee members had been preparing for the event since May.
“We made 400 sets of tang yuan, of which 200 sets would be given to students at their hostels, 150 sets to participants at the event and 50 sets to the old folks at the home,” said Yong.
Douglas Shim Vui Yen, who was one of the committee members, was also seen teaching and explaining to students about the background of the Winter Solstice Festival and the meaning behind the origin of tang yuan.
The event was organised by the Chinese Arts and Cultural Secretariat of USM in conjunction with the Winter Solstice Festival which falls on Dec 22 this year.