USM PENANG, 26 August 2024 - USM proudly hosted the opening ceremony of the 23rd Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Varsity Carnival, which brings together students from 12 universities across the IMT-GT region to compete in various sports and cultural activities from 25th to 30th August 2024.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed officiated the ceremony and highlighted the challenges in embracing the different values within ASEAN in aiming towards sustainable partnership, which include political, economic, and social changes.

“We must acknowledge and address these challenges so that we can develop more effective strategies for collaboration, embrace our differences and establishing unity, and building stronger, more sustainable partnerships."

“The IMT-GT Varsity Carnival serves as an excellent platform to achieve these goals and is perfectly aligned with this year's theme, 'Embracing Differences of ASEAN Values for Sustainable Partnership,'" said Abdul Rahman.

As the host, USM has also organised a series of academic forums and discussions alongside the sporting events, focusing on topics such as sustainable development, regional cooperation, and youth empowerment aligning with this year’s theme.

These forums aim to provide a platform for students to engage in intellectual exchanges and contribute to the region’s future development.

12 universities with 750 contingent members participated in the carnival this year. The participants consisted of those from:
1. Thailand: Thaksin University, Prince of Songkla University, Walailak University and Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya; 2. Malaysia: USM, UUM, UniMAP, UiTM Arau; and 3. Indonesia: Universitas Negeri Medan, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universitas Syiah Kuala, and Universitas Negeri Padang.

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, President of IMT-GT Varsity Council emphasised the ideation of this carnival serve as a crucial forum for uniting nations by embracing the differences in cultural traditions, languages, thoughts, and values.

"This event exemplifies how sports, culture, and seminars can holistically bring together these diverse elements, fostering strategic collaboration among the participating countries.”

Ahmad Martadha also noted the importance of this relationship and collective effort in strengthening diplomatic ties through education, stating that, "Through this relationship and togetherness, we can produce future generations who are brave, confident, idealistic, competent, and comprehensive in their outlook."

The IMT-GT initiative was first proposed by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

In 1993, the former President of Indonesia, H.E. Suharto, Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Chuan Leekpai and H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad formally endorsed the establishment of IMT-GT in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The event promises to be a memorable celebration of sportsmanship, culture, and academic excellence, reinforcing the spirit of cooperation and unity that the IMT-GT Varsity Carnival embodies.

Among those present were IMT-GT Varsity Council Members, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, and key officials from the respective universities.

Text: Shafinaz Md Ismail/Edited: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: Shahnizam Ab Rahim