News and Photos Eilliyah Fong
CHANGLUN, 22 April 2025: In a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange and regional unity, ten student volunteers from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) took part in the 4th International ASEAN in Community Programme (IAICP IV), held at SK Dato’ Wan Kemara, Changlun.
The volunteers represented three dynamic student bodies at UUM, the Global Buddies Club (GBC), AIESEC in Kedah-Perlis, and the International Student Society (ISS).
The three-day programme brought together students from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, aiming to foster ASEAN solidarity through cultural immersion activities, traditional games, and creative workshops. Supported by the Kedah State Museum and Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Darulaman (IPGKDA), and strategic collaboration with UUM, the event attracted over 150 enthusiastic students aged 10 to 12 igniting cross-border friendships and learning.
The event commenced with lively ice-breaking activities, where students were grouped into teams named after local villages such as Kampung Sungai Petani, Kampung Darat, and Kampung Titi Kerbau. A standout moment was the engaging “human train” challenge, where students worked together to construct and manoeuvre a train made entirely from mahjong paper and tape – fostering laughter, teamwork, and creative problem-solving, all under the guidance of the ever-supportive volunteers.
Day two featured the “ASEAN Explorace” alongside classic games such as Tarik Upih and Kelereng. Students raced, strategized and rolled their way to victory with prizes awarded for both teamwork and enthusiasm. The afternoon saw a celebration of local heritage through arts and crafts session, where students tried their hand at making Wau Bulan and Wayang Kulit, with expert guidance from the Kedah State Museum and volunteers.
That evening, the much-anticipated Cultural Night Performance took centre stage, with students dazzling the audience in traditional attire. Under the theme ‘Serumpun,’ a tribute to the shared cultural roots of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, they showcased an array of dances, songs, and short plays. Highlights included the graceful Wonderland Indonesian Dance, a heartfelt rendition of Anak Malaysia and the lively rhythm of Kurik Kundi, all of which received resounding applause and left lasting impressions.
For the UUM volunteers, IAICP IV was more than a volunteering stint, it was a transformative journey. “The experience taught me the power of cultural exchange, not only for the children, but for us, volunteers as well. It reminded me of the true value of community engagement,” shared one volunteer.
Beyond its role as a school programme, IAICP IV served as a bridge, connecting young minds across borders while offering UUM volunteers the opportunity to give back, learn, and grow alongside future ASEAN leaders. The programme also strengthened ties between UUM, SK Dato’ Wan Kemara and IPGKDA.
