Abdul Karim (second right) gets ready to cut the ribbon to launch the programme. Also seen from left are Hii, Fasihuddin and Suria.
KUCHING: About 80 university students from Thailand, Indonesia, Yemen, Laos, Brunei, Pakistan and host Malaysia are taking part in the ‘Night in the Museum’ programme here yesterday and today (Feb 9).
The programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) Faculty of Language and Communication entails the students spending two nights at Sarawak Museum and participating in a treasure hunt.
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when launching the programme yesterday at the compound of the Sarawak Museum said it was a good idea to hold the programme to foster friendship among the students from the various universities.
“I would like to thank Unimas for hosting the programme on a large scale because besides fostering friendship among the different communities, it will also help to promote tourism,” he pointed out.
Abdul Karim added that it was also good that such a programme was held to coincide with the Visit Sarawak Campaign 2019.
He also told the participants that Sarawak has plenty to offer, particularly in terms of racial harmony that existed among the many ethnic groups as well as religious tolerance.
Unimas deputy chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Fasihuddin Badruddin Ahmad said it was the first time the country is hosting such an event, adding that similar event was held in Thaksin University, Songhla in Thailand last year.
According to him, the event was held following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Thaksin University and Unimas last year.
Also present were permanent secretary to Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee and Sarawak Museum acting director Suria Bujang.