KEJUT CULTURAL FESTIVAL 3.0 CELEBRATES HERITAGE AND DIVERSITY AT USM ENGINEERING CAMPUS

NIBONG TEBAL, 19 December 2025 - The Kejut Cultural Festival 3.0, organised by the Pertubuhan Siswa Siswi Sabah (PERSIS) at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Engineering Campus, served as an important platform to celebrate the uniqueness of culture, tradition and creativity among the student community while fostering unity through diversity on campus.

Engineering Campus director Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, said the organisation of such programmes demonstrated that culture and tradition remain the foundation that unites society in harmony, particularly in the face of modernisation and globalisation.

She said the preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage must be sustained to ensure that these values remain relevant and are valued by the younger generation, in line with the university’s efforts to produce well-balanced graduates both intellectually and in character.

“Through programmes like this, not only can a love for culture be nurtured, but appreciation for diversity and openness in participation can also be strengthened,” she said in her officiating speech.

Meanwhile, Kejut Cultural Festival 3.0 project director Farealynn Mayrelyn Kolin said the success of the programme was the result of strong commitment and close cooperation among all committee members who contributed ideas, time, and effort.

She said the festival, themed ‘Rhythm of Heritage, Melody of Culture’, highlighted the idea that culture is not merely a performance, but an expression that breathes life into the soul and preserves heritage and identity.

“Every dance movement, musical rhythm and traditional costume presented carries stories, history and the identity of diverse ethnic communities,” she said.

She added that the programme provided participants with the opportunity not only to watch performances, but also to experience cultural expressions firsthand, understand the meaning behind heritage and appreciate diversity as a source of strength.

The Kejut Cultural Festival 3.0 also offered students a platform to showcase their talents and creativity through various artistic performances, traditional competitions, and interactive exhibitions, making the event a meaningful experience for all involved.

Also present were the Deputy Dean (Academic, Career and International), representing the Dean of the School of Aerospace Engineering, Ir. Dr. Hussin Mamat; Senior Cultural Officer representing the Student Development and Alumni Affairs Division (BHEPA), Mohd Nur Badri Mohd Nazli; and the president of the USM Sabah Students Association, Gulam Nor Ahmad Khan Norazman.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim / Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman