USM PENANG, 10 July 2026 – Twenty Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) students recently bridged cultural boundaries through the Multicultural Exchange and Service for Rural Areas (MESRA) 2026 programme with the Orang Asli community in Raub, Pahang.
The three-day programme was organised by the USM Desasiswa Restu Residential Council (MPDR) in collaboration with Sekolah Kebangsaan Satak and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Satak, the main educational institutions serving the Orang Asli community in the district.
In addition to two accompanying officers, the education, volunteerism, and cultural exchange-based programme brought together more than 70 school students and 25 teachers.
Project Director of MESRA 2026, Nurul Izzati Zamri, said the programme provided USM students with the opportunity to learn directly about the unique heritage of the community through experiential learning.
“MESRA is not merely a community service initiative, but a two-way platform for students and the community to learn from one another and appreciate Malaysia’s cultural diversity,” she said.
Throughout the programme, a variety of interactive activities were conducted, including a Traditional Weaving Workshop, Traditional Games, Traditional Dance Workshop, and a communal cooking session featuring traditional Orang Asli dishes such as ‘Aserom’ and ‘Sambal Hitam Pahang.’
Interestingly, during the Traditional Coconut Leaf Weaving Workshop, school students took on the role of instructors for the university students, demonstrating that knowledge-sharing can take place inclusively beyond the walls of academia.
Meanwhile, the Penggawa of Desasiswa Restu USM, Dr. Lim Chee Ann, noted that the programme’s content was aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education and reducing inequalities.
“Experiences outside the classroom are vital in nurturing empathy, leadership, and social responsibility—values that cannot be fully acquired within lecture halls. This initiative also reflects USM’s aspiration to produce holistic graduates who are sensitive to societal issues,” he explained.
The highlight of the programme was the ‘Malam Pesona Asli’ cultural night, featuring a joint performance of traditional Orang Asli dances by school students and Malay dances by MPDR students.
Also present to lend support were the President of the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG), Saiful Azuan Zainal Abidin, along with local villagers.
Original Text & Photo: Dr. Lim Chee Ann, Penggawa of Desasiswa Restu, USM/Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe
