On 24th January 2022, the International Relation’s Student Society (IRiSS) of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), organised the online International Culture Exchange Fair (ICEF) 2022, in collaboration with the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (MNCU).

This one-day programme aims to support innovation in tourism, in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in alignment with the 3rd Transformation Strategy of the Malaysian National Tourism Policy 2020-2030 as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With participation of students from UniSZA, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Himpunan Mahasiswa Hubungan Internasional (HIMAHI) of Udayana University, Indonesia, and Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre (HTRC) of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Brunei, participants exchanged best practices and findings on cultural preservation, based on the frameworks implemented by Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Officiated by Mr. Ahmadul Mokhtar Mohd Hayani, Executive Secretary of MNCU, he stressed on the dynamics of cross-cultural practices. He highlighted the significance of cultural diversities, where variations of cultural practices should be celebrated, and similarities between the people should be strengthened. He also elaborated on multilateral relationship in cultural preservation, citing the joint nominations of Pantun (Indonesia-Malaysia) and Wang Kang Festival (China-Malaysia) which have been successfully inscribed as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritages (ICH) of UNESCO.

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