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"It was a night of celebration when the APU campus was transformed into a breathtaking mosaic of multiculturalism!"
Performers waving their country flags and showcasing cultural diversity, yet uniting as one world at the International Cultural Night 2023.
On the 2nd of December 2023, the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) witnessed a dazzling display of cultural diversity at the International Cultural Night 2023 (ICN). The iconic yearly event, attended by over 3000 guests, showcased the rich cultural mosaic crafted by APU's 13,000+ students from 130 countries.
Under the theme "Mosaic of Cultures," curated by APU’s Student Representative Council (SRC), ICN 2023 showcased about 40 culturally diverse performances and numerous cultural booths. The mosaic concept emphasises the uniqueness of each cultural identity, creating a harmonious environment at APU.
The APU community of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) enjoyed showcasing their unique and engaging cultural dance on stage.
The performances depicted a colourful and varied mosaic, featuring communities, clubs and cultures from Egypt, Indonesia, Seychelles, Brunei, Maldives, Malaysia, Yemen, Sudan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Palestine, Japan, India, Bangladesh, and many more.
APU's International Cultural Night 2023 drew more than 3000 audience members who watched the show. Among them were Founder and CEO Datuk Parmjit Singh (3rd from the left, pictured on the right) and his senior leadership team.
APU's senior leadership, including Founder and CEO Datuk Parmjit Singh, added to the event's grandeur. The T-shaped stage, spotlighted and central to the APU Atrium, created a captivating ambience for the audience.
The event was made all the more special with the presence of distinguished ambassadors and diplomatic envoys from nine different countries, adding a touch of global prestige. His Excellency Ragai Nasr, Ambassador of Egypt to Malaysia, and His Excellency Walid A.M Abu Ali, Ambassador of Palestine, were among the esteemed guests.
HE Walid A.M Abu Ali, expressed his gratitude for being invited to the event and expressed pride in seeing the people of Palestine participating, despite the current situation in their homeland.
Palestinian students at APU brought optimistic vibes to the show, despite the current situation in their homeland, and received applause from the Ambassador of Palestine.
He stated, “I thank the participants for the support and solidarity they have shown towards Palestine. I would like to express my appreciation to the organisers for their efforts, and I look forward to witnessing more events involving Palestinians at APU.”
It was also wonderful to see some parents of APU’s students among the crowd. Mr. Chee Peng Choo was invited to the event by his son, Chee Shao Qi, who is currently studying for a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree at APU. Attending with his family, Mr. Chee praised the mix of modern and traditional elements in international students' performances and highlighted the potential benefits of cultural exposure for students in their academic and future professional lives.
The APU South Asian Dance Club captivated the audience with their enthusiastic and vibrant cultural dance performance.
Celia Amelia Widjaja, a Master of Accounting student from Indonesia, expressed her admiration for the multicultural performances, realising the richness of APU's multicultural environment. "I was impressed as I realised that our campus is highly multicultural. The performances, representing various countries, were simply amazing, and I could feel that the performers were doing their best to showcase their own culture," said Celia.
Patricia Kanyankore, hailing from Rwanda and studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management at APU expressed, “I was particularly impressed by the diversity of the cultural performances and the high level of talent displayed by the performers. I believe that events like ICN are extremely valuable in promoting cultural interchange and understanding. I hope to have more opportunities to participate in such events in the future.”
The APU Punjabi Culture Society showcased their skills in playing the Bhangda Sapp Clapper, a musical instrument native to Punjab, during their folk dances.
Praising the successful organisation of the event, Datuk Parmjit Singh remarked, "Congratulations to the organisers for upholding the tradition of showcasing the essence of multiculturalism at APU. Here, our students are encouraged to preserve and exhibit their rich cultural heritage while simultaneously gaining insights into other cultures."
Commenting on the invaluable exposure provided by such events, Datuk Parmjit said, "This exposure is crucial, considering that students will eventually collaborate with individuals from various countries, transcending time zones and borders post-graduation. The exposure derived from APU's highly multicultural environment significantly facilitates the transition from university to the professional world."
The Japanese heroic spirit is depicted by young and energetic dancers against the backdrop of Katsushika Hokusai's 'Under the Wave off Kanagawa,' also known as 'The Great Wave,' one of the most iconic works of Japanese art.
APU’s commitment to embracing diversity is reflected in its No.1 ranking for International Students in Malaysia and No.16 globally for International Students in the latest QS World University Ranking 2024.
All in all, the success of ICN 2023 was a truly rewarding outcome for the Student Representative Council and the Organising Team as well as the hundreds of volunteers and performers who put their heart and soul for several months into putting together such a spectacle, with the full support of the University’s Student Affairs and Support Teams. More importantly, this is a testament to what APU’s students of all cultural backgrounds are capable of achieving together, as well as a great demonstration of their project management organisational and communication skills.