PSU Students Join the 25th IMT-GT Varsity Carnival Connecting Youth from Three Countries and Showcasing Excellence in Sports, Culture, and Academics
Prince of Songkla University (PSU), led by Associate Professor Dr. Wirote Yoravong, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Affairs, together with university executives and staff from the Student Development and Alumni Relations Division and the Sports and Health Center, led PSU students to participate in the 25th IMT-GT Varsity Carnival, held from 25–27 August 2026 at Universitas Negeri Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia.
The event aimed to strengthen friendship and build networks among young people from the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).
PSU’s participation provided students with opportunities to develop foreign-language skills, global competencies, and essential life skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of diverse cultures through activities with students from partner universities across the three countries.
The carnival featured three major areas of activity: sports competitions, cultural performances and exchanges, and an academic seminar for student leaders.
PSU students demonstrated their talents and received recognition in several categories. In the cultural performance competition, the team received The Best Choreography Performance Award, while the PSU volleyball team earned a bronze medal.
PSU students also received three awards from the student leadership academic seminar: The Best Mix Group Presentation, The Best Creative Video Mix Group, and The Best Team with Best Effort. These achievements highlight the students’ strengths in teamwork, creativity, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The IMT-GT Varsity Carnival was first launched in 1996 through collaboration between Universiti Utara Malaysia and Prince of Songkla University. The network has since expanded, with member universities taking turns hosting the event. Its key objective is to strengthen relationships among university students within the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle and promote mutual understanding and long-term regional cooperation.
PSU also continues to play an active role in the IMT-GT Varsity Council. Associate Professor Dr. Wirote Yoravong serves as Vice President of the IMT-GT Varsity Council, while Ms. Yaowalak Kunaworakul, Director of Division of Student Development and Alumni Affairs, serves as Assistant Secretary of the Council.
This year’s carnival brought together 11 universities from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, including Universitas Negeri Padang, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Universitas Negeri Medan, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Prince of Songkla University, Thaksin University, and Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya.
PSU’s participation in the 25th IMT-GT Varsity Carnival represents another valuable learning experience beyond the classroom. Through cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and regional networking, students are able to strengthen their potential as global citizens, while contributing to stronger relationships among IMT-GT partner universities and continued cooperation in student development across the region.