Learning beyond home

STUDENTS from Asia Pacific University (APU) and UNITAR International University, who hail from more than 110 countries, celebrate their unique backgrounds through cultural appreciation events held weekly at their varsities to reap benefits of the multicultural environment.

The Malaysian student committees personally meet and greet international students and help them settle in by organising national day celebrations and cultural exchange evenings.

APU student Daby Chrishansing, who is from Mauritius, enjoys the diversity at the university. The IT with Forensic Computing

Our job here is to facilitate and support them in all manner possible.”

APIIT Education Group vice-president (operations) major said: “Every day, we meet and interact with people of different backgrounds. APU is a university that celebrates traditions and cultures”.

APIIT Education Group vice-president (operations) Gurpardeep Singh said: “It is the students’ initiative to conduct these activities. Our job here is to facilitate and support them in all manner possible. We have more than 110 communities within APU, and we celebrate and embrace diversity, both within and outside the classroom.

“Every time a new community joins us, we encourage them to celebrate any occasion — be it a new year or a national day celebration — together with other students by showcasing their culture through music, food and even dance, which brings a vibrant and colourful energy to our campus.”

UNITAR International University chief executive officer Nik Sharifidin Nik Mohamed Din said: “Our educators understand the value of having a cross-cultural learning environment and are encouraged to harness the diversity of our student base in their teaching and learning. Students have to think creatively and deal with different perspectives as they collaborate with classmates from different cultural backgrounds, which ultimately enhances their intellectual capacity.”