UKM News Official Portal

By Abdul Ghani Nasir
Pix by Mohd Hairul Azmi

BANGI, 7 Oct. 2011 - Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture, Senator Datuk Maglin Dennis D’Cruz, has commended The Malaysian National University (UKM)  for organising the Asean  Universities Festival Of Arts (AUFA 2011).

Speaking when launching the five day AUFA 2011 festival at the UKM campus here last night, he hoped the event will increase students’ awareness of the importance of cultural and artistic activities within the campus environment as well as within their own communities.

The festival which ends this Sunday is filled with workshops, cultural performances and cultural visits by the participants. Participants are students from The University of Economics and Business, Vietnam; Vietnam National  University, Hanoi; Phetchaburi Rajabhat University, Thailand; De La Salle University, Manila, Phillippines;  Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia;  UKM; Malaysian Islamic Science University (USIM) and The Malaysian Academy of Culture and National Heritage (ASWARA).

Students from China, Japan and Korea are also participating as guests.

Senator D’Cruz said objectives of the festival can be met when the students discuss issues related to the development of the arts in their countries apart from their cultural performances.

“The discussions will take place at workshops, one of the festival activities besides cultural performances and cultural trips.

He hoped the workshops can come up with appropriate solutions to issues and problems related to the arts for the well being of the cultural and artistic environment in their respective campusses and countries.

 
The festival, he said, provided the students the rare opportunities to gain knowledge of the rich cultural heritage of the ASEAN states and to share their experiences.

The festival programme is planned to capture the essence of ASEAN cultural heritage; its influences and development in order to promote better understanding and appreciation of the rich and diverse cultures of all the people in ASEAN, he said.
He hoped that all the participating universities including UKM will produce well-rounded students who would not only excel in their studies but be also active in various campus activities.