Blog Article: Three Days, Two Cultures, One Friendship: UiTM Kelantan and PSU Pattani Deepen Ties Through Exchange
Lavanya S
Event Highlight (short version): UiTM Kelantan’s three-day visit to PSU Pattani brought together cultural performances, leadership workshops, academic dialogue, and city explorations, building friendships and strengthening regional partnerships.
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, recently welcomed a delegation from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Kelantan, Malaysia, for a three-day cultural and academic exchange that brought together administrators, lecturers, and students. The program was designed to strengthen cross-border relations, promote academic collaboration, and give students and staff an opportunity to share knowledge, experience local culture, and build lasting friendships.
The visit began with the arrival of UiTM executives, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Nasir bin Ismail, Deputy Rector of Academic Affairs, and Mr. Meer Zhar Farouk Amir Razli, Deputy Rector of Student Affairs, along with administrators, lecturers, and students. The PSU welcoming team ensured smooth check-ins, with the executives accommodated at Blue Lapan and students at the campus dormitories. The early hours were spent settling in and preparing for what would become the highlight of the evening, a cultural exchange night designed to celebrate both Thai and Malay traditions.
As the evening began, the atmosphere was festive with both sides eager to showcase their heritage. PSU students opened with an elegant Thai traditional dance, followed by UiTM students presenting the Wabule dance, a traditional martial arts performance, and soulful Malay singing. The performances reflected the richness of both cultures, but the most memorable moment came when everyone was invited to the floor to learn Thai dance. With the guidance of a PSU instructor, students from both universities formed a large circle, moving together in rhythm, laughing at their own missteps, and capturing the joy of cultural sharing in countless photographs. By the time dinner was served at the campus canteen, the sense of separation between host and guest had disappeared, replaced by easy conversations and new friendships.
The second day shifted the focus from performance to dialogue and learning. After breakfast at Lan-it Canteen, students joined a leadership empowerment workshop where they were divided into groups and tasked with interviewing PSU leaders across different divisions of the campus. The exercise encouraged communication, teamwork, and curiosity while giving the visiting students an opportunity to understand leadership roles within the university. At the same time, lecturers and administrators from both institutions engaged in sharing sessions moderated by PSU’s Asst. Prof. Dr. Woraphak Maitriphan. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Nasir Ismail spoke on “From Confusion to Clarity: Writing Impactful Problem Statements,” offering insights into research development, while Mr. Meer Zhar Farouk Amir Razli presented “Nurturing Future Leaders: Empowerment in UiTM Kelantan,” highlighting strategies to develop students’ potential. The parallel sessions gave both students and faculty a chance to learn in their own ways, one through practical activities and the other through professional exchange.
The afternoon was dedicated to exploration beyond the campus. The group began with a tour of PSU before visiting the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Culture Studies, where they were introduced to local heritage and artistic traditions. The visit continued into Pattani city with stops at Pattani Heritage City and the Pattani Central Mosque, two landmarks that offered both cultural and spiritual insight. To balance the structured visits, the program also included café-hopping, giving the students time to relax, share conversations, and enjoy Pattani’s everyday lifestyle. By the time they returned to campus in the evening, the students had not only seen the city but also bonded more closely with one another through shared experiences. Dinner that night at the canteen was filled with laughter and storytelling, reflecting the comfort and familiarity that had grown over just two days.
The third day focused on leadership at both the executive and student levels. UiTM executives met with top PSU management at the Vijarnsupakit Meeting Floor, where discussions centered on academic cooperation, research opportunities, and regional collaboration. At the same time, students participated in a dialogue session with PSU’s student union at the Rusamilae Meeting Room. The exchanges gave both groups the chance to share experiences in student governance, discuss challenges, and compare strategies for supporting student welfare and leadership development. It was a moment of reflection and learning, with both unions gaining practical ideas they could bring back to their own campuses.
The morning sessions were followed by a farewell lunch where administrators, lecturers, and students from both universities gathered once more before the Malaysian delegation began their journey to the Rantau Panjang border. The final hours were marked by gratitude, photographs, and heartfelt goodbyes. In the span of three days, what began as a formal exchange had grown into a warm connection of cultures, knowledge, and friendship that will continue beyond the boundaries of the visit.
