THAKSIN UNIVERSITY, SONGKHLA CAMPUS, THAILAND – From August 17 to 23, 2024, the KOSASS-Thai Nexus Program was held as part of the Outbound Mobility Program organized by the Student Representative Council for the 2023/2024 session at Thaksin University, Songkhla Campus, Thailand. A total of 39 participants from Kolej Sultan Alaeddin Suleiman Shah (KOSASS) took part in the KOSASS-Thai Nexus program and were warmly welcomed by the university management, lecturers, students, and even the Deputy Dean of Thaksin University, Songkhla Campus. The KOSASS delegation was led by Administrative Officer, Ms. Nur Fazrina Ismail, and KOSASS Chief Fellow, Mr. Ahmad Alfan Hidayat.

The KOSASS-Thai Nexus aimed to provide new knowledge exposure to KOSASS students regarding culture and customs of foreign societies at the international level. This aligns with the HEPA Strategic Plan in achieving the internationalization pillar. Through this international exposure, students gain additional value in global competency and international competitiveness. This initiative allows students to contribute through mobility programs, knowledge-sharing activities, international collaborations, and enhancing their visibility through media channels. This is in line with the three domains of the Internationalization Pillar, which include knowledge transfer, international networking, and visibility. In this context, "Nexus" refers to efforts in establishing strong networks and collaborations between KOSASS and Thaksin University in Thailand.

At the beginning of the program, KOSASS participants toured Thaksin University’s campuses to observe the educational environment and culture in Thailand. Thaksin University lecturers also presented an overview of the Thai education system to the participants. Additionally, the participants visited the Folklore Museum at The Institute for Southern Thai Studies, located near Thaksin University. This museum is recognized as a key institution preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of Southern Thailand. The visit aimed to provide students with deep insights into the history, art, and way of life of the local community. The visit began with a briefing by museum staff, who explained the museum's objectives and its collection of artifacts, covering various aspects of Southern Thai community life, such as wood carvings, traditional clothing, agricultural tools, and musical instruments. Students had the opportunity to explore several main galleries, which showcased traditional arts and crafts, wood carvings, textiles, ceramics, and daily life artifacts like kitchen utensils, fishing equipment, and replicas of traditional houses.

This visit provided a deeper understanding of Southern Thai life, including traditional values, arts, and customs passed down through generations. Observing the artifacts and live demonstrations helped students appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the region. Students also noticed many similarities between the traditions of Southern Thailand and Malaysia, particularly in aspects of arts, cuisine, and lifestyle, reinforcing a sense of shared cultural identity. The visit inspired students to be more active in preserving and promoting their own culture, especially in the era of globalization.

As part of the program, KOSASS participants had the opportunity to learn and try two traditional Thai dishes – Tom Yum Thai and a traditional Thai dessert called Khanom Tom, similar to Malaysia’s onde-onde. While onde-onde is also known in Malaysia, there are slight differences in its preparation, such as the ingredients and dough-mixing techniques. The cultural exchange session started with a cooking demonstration by Thai students, who explained the ingredients and techniques used to create authentic Tom Yum. UPM students were given the chance to participate in the cooking process. Thai and Malaysian cuisine share similarities in their use of ingredients such as coconut milk, chilies, herbs, and spices. However, there are distinct differences in their preparation and taste. Thai cuisine often highlights a balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty flavors, while Malaysian cuisine is rich in spices, giving it a deep aroma and taste.

Furthermore, Thai students taught KOSASS participants how to make onde-onde, using glutinous rice flour, palm sugar filling, and grated coconut. Once the cooking process was complete, both groups enjoyed their prepared dishes together, including the spicy and aromatic Tom Yum soup and the sweet and chewy onde-onde as a perfect dessert. This activity not only introduced traditional Thai cuisine but also strengthened the bond between UPM and Thaksin University students. At the end of the program, a photo session was held, and the KOSASS emblem flag was presented to Thaksin University management as a token of appreciation.

This experience provided invaluable exposure for KOSASS participants in understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of Thai customs and culture. According to the KOSASS-Thai Nexus Program Director, Mr. Ismasyazwi, the program aimed to strengthen the relationship between KOSASS and Thaksin University through academic and cultural collaboration. "We hope this collaboration will continue to grow with more joint programs in the future," said the Deputy Dean of Thaksin University in his closing speech. He also expressed his appreciation for this initiative, hoping that this bilateral relationship will continue to benefit both institutions. This report highlights the experiences of a group of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) students who participated in a mobility program at Thaksin University, focusing on cultural and educational exchanges, particularly in food and traditions.

Date of Input: 26/02/2025 | Updated: 27/02/2025 | zulkif