YBM. Tengku Zulpuri Shah Bin Raja Puji, Deputy Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources and Professor Dr. Hiew Pang Leang, Vice Chancellor UOW Malaysia KDU University College at the 3rd Wonderful World International Student Public Welfare Media Art Exhibition 2019.

A group photo of students and lecturers from different universities all around the world along with Professor Dr. Hiew Pang Leang, Vice Chancellor UOW Malaysia KDU University College and Professor Yang Jian Hua, Dean, Communication and Cartoon Institute, Qingdao University of Science and Technology.

Happy faces of students and lecturers from Middle Tennessee State University (USA) after completing their video shoot in Melaka, known for its well-preserved heritage buildings, astonishing colonial structures and fascinating history.

Students were busy editing their videos which were then submitted and reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges comprising academicians from different countries where winners were chosen based on their creativity in demonstrating their interpretation of the “Heritage and Culture” theme.

By Davin Dhanraj

UOW Malaysia KDU played its educational role by co-hosting the 3rd Wonderful World International Student Public Welfare Media Art Exhibition 2019 with Qingdao University of Science and Technology, an annual event with participation of over 28 universities around the world.

This momentous four-day event encouraged cultural exchange and promoted awareness of humanistic issues, particularly of man’s relations to his environment (flora & fauna), society, technology, innovation and cultural heritage through the utilisation of creative medium such as film, animation, comics and various forms of artistic creative platforms.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of YBM. Tengku Zulpuri Shah Bin Raja Puji, Deputy Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources, YBhg. Datuk Zurinah Binti Pawanteh, Secretary General of Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources and YBhg. Dato’ Abdul Kadir bin Abu Hashim, Director General Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia along with Professor Dr. Hiew Pang Leang, Vice Chancellor UOW Malaysia KDU University College and Professor Yang Jian Hua, Dean, Communication and Cartoon Institute, Qingdao University of Science and Technology

Vice Chancellor, UOW Malaysia KDU University College, Prof Dr. Hiew Pang Leang, said, “UOW Malaysia KDU as an educational institution which strongly believes in conserving the environment for our future generation is very honoured to be able to co-host this year’s event which was held in Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur respectively. We believe that initiatives like this would create long-lasting efforts for economic and social development of the community and the nation”. He added that students will not only be able to shed some light on the dreadful realities of animal extinction but most importantly, highlighted that each action will have a ripple effect and that every person can make a difference if they continuously strive to protect the species of animals that they care about.

Themed “Man and Animal”, the first phase of this two-phased competition required students to produce a video showcasing man’s humanistic relation with animal which was submitted prior. Still focusing on humanistic issues, the second phase, themed “Heritage and Culture”, focused on man’s relations to technology, innovation and cultural heritage.

Students were required to travel to Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur to experience and showcase the uniqueness of the rich culture and heritage of both countries respectively through the creative utilization of digital mediums. Videos were then submitted and reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges, comprising academicians from different countries where winners were chosen based on their creativity in demonstrating their interpretation of the “Heritage and Culture” theme.

This competition served as an educational platform to not only allow students from different countries to exchange creative ideas for the betterment of humanity but also to master the art of communication. “Beyond any language barrier there is a way to connect. Sometimes it can be really tough to communicate as we all speak different languages and have different cultural practices but there is always a way to communicate and make that connection. This competition allowed us to come together as united force with a bigger voice and definitely a stronger impact. Nelson Mandela once said, education and awareness is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world and I believe that can be achieved through competitions like these” said Virginia Lake Petty, a student from one of the participating universities, Middle Tennessee State University.

Taking advantage of this commendable event, UOW Malaysia KDU also launched “Save the Malayan Tiger” documentary, an educational collaboration between UOW Malaysia KDU and the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources. The documentary showcased the devastating predicament of the Malayan tigers in Malaysia, which has decreased to less than 200 in the wild.

The “Save the Malayan Tiger” campaign aims to start a nationwide screening and workshops in various middle/high schools and colleges/universities in Malaysia upon completion to further increase the awareness of saving our beloved Malayan tigers among the younger generation.