PENANG, November 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) walked away with the top prize at the annual 1 World Culture dance competition hosted by Nilai University, Negeri Sembilan recently.

The USM group, made up of 14 international students from Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, China and Korea under the Student Exchange Programme, wowed the judges with their lively performance in the dance competition themed “A Celebration of Dance”.

"Through this sweet success, all the hard work has finally paid off for the students who were committed in their training and I believe their achievement has certainly made USM proud, especially all the staff of International Office and USM Buddies who had been instrumental in supporting the entire group," said the Programme Coordinator of Student Mobility and also the USM team leader, Dr. Mohd Hafizal Mohd Isa.

"It was the second time that USM won this competition after it has been organised for six years. Previously, USM won the third place in 2009," added Mohd Hafizal.

They defeated 13 other public and private institutions of higher learning and took home a cash prize of RM1,500, a trophy and a certificate of appreciation. Second place was won by Universiti Teknologi Petronas (RM1,000, a trophy and a certificate) while Universiti Putra Malaysia was the second runner-up (RM500, a trophy and a certificate). Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) won the Judges Special Award while Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) was awarded the Best Costume Award.

USM was further honoured when its Cultural Officer, Student Affairs and Development Division, who is also the choreographer for the group, Mohamad Al-Hafiz Md. Sani won the Best Choreographer award.
 
"His idea of incorporating the dance moves of the local Wau Bulan into the Tibetan dance performance which brought the message of peace and harmony was well received by the head of judges who is also the President of the Malaysian Performing Arts Society, Ravi Shanker Rama Murthy," said Mohd Hafizal.

The prizes were presented by the Director of Student Affairs and Development Division, Ministry of Education, Ibrahim Ali and the Director of Department of Student Affairs, Nilai University, Michael Yei.

The closing ceremony was officiated by the Nilai University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Megat Burhainuddin.

In the closing speech, Megat Burhainuddin urged all the participants to encourage more of their peers to participate in such competitions as it is a great platform for them to share their respective cultures and customs through the medium of dance. - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text and photos are courtesy of International Office.