Photos Hazree Hairudin
SINTOK, 24 May 2026: The School of International Studies (SOIS), Universiti Utara Malaysia was honoured to serve as one of the co-hosts for the 5th International ASEAN in Community Programme 2026 (IAICP V 2026), held at the EDC Hotel, Universiti Utara Malaysia, from 8 to 9 May 2026.
The programme was jointly organised through a collaborative partnership between Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru Sintok and SOIS, together with several strategic partners. The initiative brought together primary school students from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand in a regional programme centred on cultural, educational engagement, and ASEAN awareness.
IAICP V 2026 served as an important platform for promoting intercultural understanding, regional friendship, and people-to-people connectivity among young participants from ASEAN member countries. Throughout the programme, students participated in a variety of interactive and educational activities designed to enhance teamwork, communication skills, leadership qualities, and appreciation of ASEAN’s rich cultural diversity.
As part of the programme, SOIS was also given a special sharing session entitled “Discover ASEAN”, aimed at introducing participants to ASEAN, its member states, cultural diversity, and regional cooperation. The session was conducted by Siti Darwinda Mohamed Pero, who shared insightful and interactive presentations to enhance participants’ understanding and appreciation of the ASEAN community.
The programme further highlighted the importance of nurturing regional awareness, intercultural understanding, and international exposure among younger generations in line with the aspirations of the ASEAN Community.
This collaborative initiative reflects the continued commitment of SOIS and its strategic partners towards strengthening internationalisation efforts, regional engagement, and community-based educational programmes that foster mutual understanding, cross-cultural collaboration, and regional solidarity among future generations. – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Darwinda Mohamed Pero
