PENANG, 4 May 2021 - The Universiti Sains Malaysia International (USMi) Student Society successfully held its first international student gathering for ‘iftar’ (breaking of fast) recently, organised by the USM International Mobility and Collaboration Centre (IMCC) at the university main campus.

The aim of the event is to gather all local and international students together, allowing them to blend into a group representing different cultures and backgrounds, and in a setting where they can interact and understand each other better.

In conjunction with the ‘iftar’ programme which was held in compliance with the existing SOPs, they had also held a ‘Ramadan Football Championship’ in which teams comprising of both local and international students and staff competed against each other.

Acting Director of IMCC, Aizat Hisham said that this is really a great opportunity to get everyone together and this could lead to the betterment and success of USM in the future.

“I hope this internationalisation agenda will be part of the focus in Intercultural Competency among our international students and hopefully they would be able to grow and widen (their perception) in a much better way,” he said.

The programme was followed by the prize-giving ceremony, with USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Institutional Development), Professor Dr. Md. Roslan Hashim presenting the winning trophy and medal to the victorious team in the men opening football match that was held earlier.

The programme ended with a closing friendly football match between the ladies team at the KOPA Arena here, commencing with the kickoff by USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Professor Dato’ Dr. Narimah Samat before the game started.

Also present were the university Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan; Chief Advisor of USMi, Dr. Syaheerah Lebai Lutfi; Advisor of USMi, Fadzilla Bosman and USMi President, Mr. Beribeche Houssam Eddine.

The USM International (USMi) is a family of International students of USM from  more than 80 countries around the globe who strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all USMites.

USMi members are proud of their home countries and want to share their cultures with the USM community, and this platform has certainly provided a safe space for them and the Malaysian students to interact, unleash their creativity, and share their cultural identities.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa & Shahnizam Ab Rahim