PENANG, 26 May 2016 – Students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) had the opportunity to meet with the community from Laos recently through the 'International Malaysia-Laos Youth Exchange and Study Programme 2016' for 3 days from 7 May 2016.

In representing the participants, Nur Amalina Jeffri said that, the internationalisation programme is an event that students should be involved in, in order to know more about the lifestyle and culture of communities from other countries for an experience that is truly priceless.

"The objective of this programme is to mould the students of USM to be global thinkers in implementing activities that would bring them closer to the various communities regardless of differences in age, beliefs and ethnicities and also national boundaries," she said.

She explained further that, this programme provided opportunities for the students to be involved in volunteer activities at the ASEAN level.

The programme was held with the support of the Prime Minister’s Department, Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Asian Youth Council (AYC), and with the involvement of 36 students along with the accompanying officers as well as medical officers from the USM Health Campus.

Among the activities held included those on cultural exchange, volunteerism, education, and entrepreneurship as well as knowledge-sharing together with students from the National University of Laos (NUOL) at the ‘Laos-Japan Institute’.

"These activities provide the participants with opportunities to understand the education system at NUOL, the courses offered there and share experiences with the students of NUOL," she added.

A community service programme was also held at the Kampung Banphon Sawattay Muslim village.

"Interestingly, out of the 6.7 million people of Laos, only 600 are Muslims comprising the local community, and also from India and Pakistan.”

"The main programme included conducting health checks, cleaning up the surrounding of the mosque and to present contributions, and also having a circumcision session conducted by the USM Medical Team from the Health Campus involving 20 children at no charge," she said further.

The participants also presented contributions in total of RM2,000.00 and items of need such as oral care items, food items, Al-Quran, Muqaddam, prayer guide books, prayer garments for males and females, lice medication and nail clippers.

The programme was jointly organised by the International Youth Centre and the Student Development Affairs and Alumni Division, USM Health Campus.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Syuhada Abd. Aziz