AGILE: Students performing the ‘monyet bujang’ dance from the province of Riau.

SUPPORTIVE: Mr Hermono praising the students of UCSI for organising the ‘Discover Indonesia’ event to promote the country.

TRADITIONAL COLOURS: Students parading in traditional outfits from Indonesia during the fashion show.

UCSI BACKING: Ms Ooi Pei Boon delivering Dato’ Peter Ng’s speech congratulating the students on a successful event.

KUALA LUMPUR: It was an extravaganza of song, dance and camaraderie as Indonesian and Malaysian students from various tertiary education institutions in Malaysia gathered for the Discover Indonesia Night held at UCSI University’s (UCSI) KL Campus. 

Organised by UCSI’s Bhinneka Indonesian Student Association, the event is themed ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ (Unity in Diversity) – the official national motto of Indonesia. It aimed to showcase the various cultures of the country, bridge the gap between Indonesian and other students, as well as strengthen the sense of nationalism in Indonesian students. The event is also a platform to bring together Indonesian students from local and international tertiary education institutions in Malaysia. 

“I noticed that most of the students know us Indonesians, but all the past events under the Association have been only for Indonesians. I wanted to change that and invite everyone to know Indonesia and its people,” says organising chairperson Nadya Yusrina Putri. 

The guest of honour for the event was Mr Hermono, the deputy chief of mission. 

“On behalf of the embassy, I thank the UCSI students for organising this event and introducing Indonesia to the other students,” said Mr Hermono. 

Currently, there are about 200 Indonesian students enrolled at UCSI. 

Ms Ooi Pei Boon, the Senior Director of the Student Affairs & Alumni division, points out that UCSI’s Indonesian students have consistently proven themselves both in terms of academia and co-curricular activities. 

“When it comes to Indonesian students, we don’t just have the numbers, we are also home to many prodigious minds who have made their marks in various fields,” she says. 

Among them is Sarah Byuti Cendana, a third year Bachelor in Food Science with Nutrition student. In March, she was awarded the second-runner up position for the Oratory Competition in the 9th MIFT Food Science and Technology Seminar. She edged out participants from 13 other universities in Malaysia for her win. 

Past student achievers from Indonesia include Raden Muhammad Fajjar, UCSI’s 2012 valedictorian and Margenie Winarti, a first class honours student who was crowned Miss Grand Indonesia 2014. 

The successes of Indonesian student were something that Mr Hermono spoke highly about. 

“The best ambassadors for a country are its students, and I am glad to know our students are doing well in UCSI,” he said. 

Among the performances of the night includes traditional dances from the provinces of Riau, Acheh and East Kalimantan, a choir performance, beatboxing and a fashion show. 

About 600 participants from various government and private institutions of higher learning attended the event.