16 UniMAP Students Sacrifice Aidilfitri, Represent Malaysia To ASP 2015

Kangar, 13 July – 16 Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) students yielded Aidilfitri celebrations with their beloved family after being chosen to represent the country at the Asia Summer Programme (ASP) 2015 organised by the Josai University Educational Corporation (JUEC), Japan.

Accompanying the student delegation which departed for Japan on 4 July were three lecturers, Afifah Hanani Yusuf from the Centre for International Languages,  Nursalimah Alias from School of Human Development and Technocommunication (IKOM) and Mohd Shahidan Shaari from the School of Business Innovation & Technopreneurship (PPIPT).

The trio will be teaching UniMAP courses, namely English, Thinking Skills and Principles of Entrepreneurship during the programme at three campuses: Togane campus and Awa campus at Josai International University (JIU); and Sakado campus, Josai Univesity (JU).

Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Technology (with Honours) (Industrial Chemical Process) student Nur Annashuha Zakry, 21, was excited to be selected to attend ASP this year seeing as it is a great stage to learn about the local culture and to make new acquaintances.

She remarked that although she has to endure fasting over a longer daily period  there compared to Malaysia and sacrifice Aidilfitri festivities with her family, it would not be a barrier for her to focus on the programme and the planned activities.

“It would be dishonest to say I'm not saddened to be away from my family for the first time during Aidilfitri celebrations, but I am taking it positively and considering myself to be like other students who are continuing their studies overseas.

“Although we will have lectures on hari raya, my friends and I will find time to contact our families,” she said.

Another student, Tan Yan Jun, 22, said that not only has he learned about a new culture through his ASP participation, but he could also understand the differences and the diversity of the foreign culture.

The Bachelor of Material Engineering (With Honours) student had dreamed attending the programme upon seeing for himself the fanfare and the participant diversity when UniMAP was chosen as host the previous year.

“Besides that, I have been amazed by Japanese culture and ASP is the best way for me to see the uniqueness of the culture up close and to learn the customs and traditions of other countries.

“Based on the scheduled prepared, this is certain to be a wonderful experience for all participants,” he said.

ASP 2015 assembles 150 international students from 14 universities in 9 countries, and will take place until 28 July.

Meanwhile, UniMAP Vice Chancellor Brig. Jen. Datuk Prof. Dr. Kamarudin Hussin said that ASP, which began in 2011, was the brainchild of its five founding universities, namely Bangkok University, Thailand; Dongseo University, Korea; Josai University, Japan; Petra Christian University, Indonesia and UniMAP.

He declared that the founding universities agreed to create a special platform explicitly to help forge future leaders in line with the passage of time and the accelerating development of nations in Asia.

“ASP students take not only academic courses, but will also be exposed to arts and culture, martial arts and go on visits to historical sites,” he explained.