By Nur Haiqal Rawlins Una Abdullah and Siti Suryani Mat Nasit
NILAI – The vibrant spirit of cultural exchange came alive as 65 international students from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) took part in Meet and Greet with International Students in Malaysia 2026 (MAGNET 2026), a two-day programme held at INTI International College, Nilai.
Organised by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in collaboration with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and INTI International University, MAGNET 2026 brought together international students from diverse cultural and national backgrounds to celebrate diversity, foster inclusion and promote greater cross-cultural understanding.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akmal Sabarudin, Director of the International Relations Centre (UKM Global), said initiatives such as MAGNET play an important role in enriching the international student experience.
“Cultural exchange is an important part of international education. Through programmes such as MAGNET, our international students can gain a deeper appreciation of Malaysia’s diverse heritage, build meaningful friendships and develop a stronger sense of belonging.
“These experiences also support UKM’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and globally connected campus community,” he said.
He added that UKM’s participation in MAGNET 2026 reflects the university’s commitment to internationalisation beyond the classroom by providing opportunities for international students to engage with Malaysia’s cultural heritage, share their own identities and build meaningful connections across cultures.
Representing UKM, the participating international students took part in traditional Malaysian games, including Boling Kelapa (coconut bowling) and Tating Lawi (feather shuttlecock juggling).
The activities introduced students to local traditions while encouraging teamwork and interaction.
The students also joined the Heritage Trail to learn about Malaysia’s history and multicultural heritage.
During Culture Night, participants showcased their respective cultural traditions and expressions, providing opportunities to appreciate the diversity within the international student community.
UKM students further took part in the China Country Booth, which highlighted elements of Chinese culture and heritage and encouraged cultural learning and exchange among participants.
