By: Ahmad Daniel Syah Ahmad Effendi
MELAKA, 14 October 2025 – International, Mobility and Advanced Education Centre (IMAC), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), together with UPSI Global Buddies, proudly participated in MAGNET 2025: Meet and Greet with International Students in Malaysia, held at Dataran Pahlawan Megamall, Melaka.
The event brought together international students from across Malaysia to celebrate cultural diversity, friendship, and promote cross-cultural understanding.
UPSI Global Buddies actively took part in the Country Booth Exhibition, representing Thailand. Their booth showcased Thailand’s rich culture through traditional attire, interactive games, and cultural displays, drawing the attention of visitors and allowing students to share and celebrate their heritage.
The exhibition served as an engaging platform for international students to connect with peers and foster mutual understanding among diverse cultures.
Encik Azman L. Kadir, an officer from IMAC, highlighted the significance of the event, “MAGNET 2025 is an excellent opportunity for our international students to showcase their culture while experiencing Malaysia’s multicultural environment.
Through such interactions, they build meaningful friendships and develop global perspectives that are essential for their growth as students.”
Several UPSI international students also participated in the Heritage Trail: An Explorace Game, navigating through Melaka’s historic landmarks and museums while solving clues and completing interactive challenges.
These activities encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and a deeper appreciation of Malaysia’s rich heritage.
Adding to the excitement, UPSI international student Abubakar Siddiq Salihu achieved an impressive second place in the Dam Aji traditional board game competition.
Reflecting on his experience, he shared “Competing in Dam Aji was an exciting and unforgettable experience. I’m proud to represent UPSI and engage with international students from all over Malaysia while learning more about local traditions.”
The event was officiated by the Minister of Higher Education, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, who emphasized that higher education should be more than just a place for knowledge acquisition.
It should also cultivate leadership and identity. He noted that interactions between local and international students provide valuable opportunities to develop empathy and understanding across cultures and religions.
He also highlighted that Malaysia remains a top destination for international students due to its stability, cultural diversity, and globally recognized quality of higher education.
MAGNET 2025 successfully provided a platform for international students to interact, learn, and celebrate cultural diversity.
UPSI Global Buddies and IMAC reinforced their commitment to promoting inclusivity, intercultural engagement, and global awareness among students, aligning with UPSI’s vision of nurturing culturally competent and globally minded graduates.