Polytechnic Kota Kinabalu goes international
Published on: Monday, December 17, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Learning a new language and culture while establishing academic relations and diplomatic relations was the theme of the day for 36 polytechnic students from Kota Kinabalu and Korea during a joint community service programme here.The five-day programme organised by the Department of Polytechnic Education and implemented by the Department of Electrical Engineering was held at Kg Kobuni, in Inanam since Dec 10.
ADVERTISEMENT
The purpose was to strengthen the direction of Polytechnic Kota Kinabalu towards internationalisation and establish academic relations and diplomatic relations between Polytechnic Kota Kinabalu and Busan Polytechnic Korea.Apart from community service, the students were also given the chance to live with foster families comprising local residents and experience local culture. Out of the 36 students, 26 are from Korea comprising students who are visiting Sabah for the first time.Among them was Hyeonjin Choi, 25, a Computer Aided Machinery student who related how living with his Dusun family gave him the experience of tasting deer meat.
ADVERTISEMENT
"My foster sister cooked the meal and it was so delicious, I asked her for the recipe and she said it was so easy, I ate till I was too full and my foster mother kept asking me to eat," he said. He said it is currently winter season in Korea and that being in Sabah was good because it was sunny.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Civil Engineering student, Mohd Zulhelmi Taha, 20, from Lahad Datu, the language barrier it was not an obstacle from gaining good experience as they got to work as a team. "Most of the time we used sign language to communicate, but at the same time we learn some words in Korean language while teaching them our language as well," he said. Meanwhile, the programme provide opportunities for Koreans to better understand the culture and customs of locals as well as to highlight their existing talent internationally.It also gave the opportunity for involvement of Polytechnic Kota Kinabalu students in scientific and cultural activities for the sharing of knowledge and cultural exchange between the two countries The programme benefits many Malaysian Higher Education Ministry, Polytechnic Department and especially to Polytechnic Kota Kinabalu in achieving the vision of Malaysian Polytechnic moving towards international level.The events closing ceremony was officiated by Assistant Minister of Finance cum Inanam Assemblyman Kenny Chua who applauded the initiative taken by the higher learning institutions. He also congratulated the local community who took part in the programme and for being a good host to the visitors. "This culture of cooperation must always be practiced, irrespective of the layers of society so that we can all be united in the efforts to develop the nation," he said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
