One for the album: Students clad in hanbok posing for a photo.
CULTURAL exchange activities do not necessarily have to involve going abroad for the experience.
Such exchange can be carried out in education institutions locally, as seen in the recent hosting of the Hallyu Festival 2023 by the Korean Society Club at HELP University.
Held at its Subang Bestari campus in Selangor, the Korean-themed festival drew the participation of 250 students and visitors after a five-year hiatus.
HELP University vice chancellor Prof Dr Andy Liew Teik Kooi, who officiated the event with HELP Tertiary chief executive officer Dr Goh Chee Leong and event main sponsor Korea’s Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ministry Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation Centre managing director Jang Jae Hyung, said the festival was a “by the students for the students and community” event.
“It provided a platform for the students to lead, engage, celebrate diversity and embody the varsity’s commitment to cultural exchange exercises.
“Through this festival, we aimed to introduce traditional and contemporary Korean culture aligned with our varsity’s values, and to promote harmony within the locals’ multicultural society,” Prof Liew said in a press release dated Aug 7.
Jang said the initiative also commemorated the 40th anniversary of Malaysia’s Look East Policy.
“We hope such activations provide a significant opportunity for young talents, who will lead Malaysia’s future to engage in cultural exchange,” he said.
The Aug 6 event featured a kimbap (Korean seaweed rice roll) making workshop, a Korean 101 workshop, K-pop performances, K-cuisine and K-costumes, among others.
In the press release, the university said it encourages student-led activities that instil leadership, teamwork and accountability beyond the classroom environment.
