Perlis, Malaysia – Universitas Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) once again showcased its identity as an inclusive international campus. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, students from Indonesia and Thailand launched a cultural collaboration by preparing the famous Thai dish, Tom Yum, at the university dormitory – an initiative that combined culinary skills with cross-cultural exchange.

🍲 A Fusion of Cultures

The activity was designed to strengthen cultural diplomacy among students and provide a platform for tradition-sharing between Southeast Asian nations. Thai students led the cooking demonstration, showcasing authentic Tom Yum techniques with a delicate balance of spices like galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. Indonesian students actively assisted in ingredient preparation and technical support, creating a lively, collaborative atmosphere. “This event was more than just cooking together,” said a student representative. “It was about building understanding and friendship across cultures in our diverse academic community.”

🤝 Fostering Friendship and Networking

The event ended with a traditional communal meal, where students sat in a circle, strengthening camaraderie and sharing stories. The informal gathering also served as a space for students to exchange academic insights and expand international networks.

Students expressed their hope that similar initiatives could continue regularly, involving participants from more countries, to further UMAM’s mission of cultivating a harmonious and globally-minded campus environment. “Through this culinary collaboration, we realized that even though we come from different countries, togetherness and mutual respect remain the ultimate language of unity,” said one of the coordinators.

With the success of this event, UMAM’s dormitories are becoming a hub for global friendship, nurturing bonds among students from around the world while supporting their academic journey.