USM PENANG, 12 March 2026 – After a hiatus of nearly eight years, the iconic stage that has nurtured countless emerging talents is set to shine once again.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through its Cultural Hall (Dewan Budaya), proudly announces the return of ‘Malam Bintang USM 2026’ (USM Night of the Stars 2026), a prestigious singing competition designed to showcase creativity, artistry, and musical excellence among students and staff.

First introduced in 2002, the programme has produced many outstanding vocalists from within the campus community.

This year’s revival comes with a fresh concept, reinforcing USM’s commitment to enhancing cultural arts while uniting the university community through music.

The organisation of ‘Malam Bintang USM 2026’ is made possible through the strategic cooperation of the Majlis Penggawa USM, USM Human Resource Division, USM Student Development Affairs and Alumni (BHEPA) Division, the Protege Secretariat, and the USM School of the Arts (SOTA).

The grand finals will take place on Saturday, 18 April 2026 at the USM Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra (DTSP), featuring performances by the university’s top finalists before a large campus audience.

Adding star power to the event, popular local singer Hazama, renowned for his powerful vocals and emotive performances, and winner of Akademi Fantasia Season Nine, will make a special appearance.

His presence is expected to inspire the finalists and heighten the excitement of the much‑anticipated finals.

In preparation, finalists will undergo an exclusive vocal training workshop led by experienced vocal coach Bob Yusof, who will guide them in vocal techniques, performance style, and stage confidence.

With the involvement of these two industry figures, the competition promises not only to elevate artistic standards but also to strengthen ‘Malam Bintang USM’ as a platform for nurturing campus talent.

The return of this programme reaffirms USM’s dedication to enriching the arts ecosystem on campus, making music a unifying force for the university community while discovering new talents and creating a dynamic, creative campus experience.

For further information, please contact Cultural Officer and Head of Performance, Promotion and Internationalisation Unit at USM Cultural Hall, Andy Siti Nurhidayah Rahim via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone: 012‑682 4449.

Original Text & Photo: Cultural Hall, USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin