The Buddies Global Symposium 2024 (BuGS24), an unprecedented international conference organised by Buddies Association UPM, concluded on May 11th after five days of enriching exchanges, insightful discussions, and cultural celebration. Held at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the symposium marked a milestone as the first-ever self-organised conference of its kind, welcoming more than 100 local and international delegates from various student associations.
Under the guidance of Putra International Centre (i-PUTRA) and in collaboration with the Student Affairs Division of UPM (BHEP), the symposium boasted a diverse cohort of student leaders from Malaysia, Indonesia, Burundi, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Japan, South Korea, China and Iraq. With a total of 11 universities represented, including nine local and two Indonesian institutions, the event garnered widespread support from sponsors such as the Student Affairs Division of UPM (BHEP), PUTRA International Centre (i-PUTRA), Centre for Management of Waqf, Zakat and Endowment (WAZAN), PKS Maju Restaurant, Marigold, Eco-Shop, MyeongDong Topokki, myBahasa Online Language School and Dr. Kamelanathan Munisamy.
The inaugural day, May 7th, saw participants arriving and checking into accommodation, culminating in an electrifying opening ceremony at Dewan Putra PKPP. The ceremony was attended and officiated by Mr. Syafiq Farhan Boo bin Omar Boo, the Head of Mobility in i-PUTRA. The event also featured captivating performances by the reputable UPM dance club, Adi Mastuli, UPM band – The Green Bamboos, as well as a soulful rendition by Syaheera, a talented student singer from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
The symposium’s second day, May 8th, commenced with a plenary session led by the president of Buddies Association UPM and program director of BuGS24, Ammar Salleh, followed by the president of University Malaya (UM) Global Buddies and Vice President of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Global Buddies. The day continued with an enlightening communication workshop conducted by Dr. Isma Rosila Ismail, a Senior Lecturer of Language and Communication from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). Three engaging forum sessions filled the day, including discussions on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with fellow panels consisting of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wan Zuhainis Saad, Director of the Center for Academic Development and Leadership Excellence (CADe) UPM, Ts. Dr. Irina Harun, Senior Lecturer of Faculty of Forestry and Environment UPM, and Ms. Nur Ajirah Abdul Manaf, Clinical Psychologist at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (HSAAS) UPM. The second forum with intercultural dynamics was paneled by a Malaysian-Syrian intercultural couple, Ms. Rhainna Natasha and Mr. Abdul Aziz. The final forum for the day featured notable figures led by Malaysian singer, Muhamad Shahmeer Bin Mohd Nashrul (MeerNash), and UPM Korean language teacher Muhammad Farhan bin Razali (Farhan Hangugo).
On May 9th, the third day of the symposium, participants delved into sessions featuring presidents from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Global Ambassadors and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Global Buddies, alumni workshops by former Presidents of Buddies Association of UPM and UKM, and talks by esteemed guests including Former Senator, Tuan Jaziri Alkaf and Mr. Vincent Lua, CEO of MyeongDong Topokki. The day concluded with a guided tour of Masjid Putrajaya and a scenic Putrajaya cruise, sponsored by Marigold.
The fourth day, May 10th, was dedicated to a Model United Nations session focused on SDGs, addressing crucial issues such as access to quality education, mental health challenges, and discrimination faced by international students. The day concluded with a solemn closing ceremony attended by the director of Putra International Centre (i-PUTRA) Prof. Dr. Alyani binti Ismail, featuring performances by UPM talent Adam Wafi, the first runner-up of Senada Putra.
Ammar Salleh, the program director of BuGS24 and President of Buddies Association UPM, said, “The success of the Buddies Global Symposium 2024 truly reflects the dedication and spirit of collaboration among student leaders from around the world. We are immensely proud of the diverse perspectives shared, the friendships forged, and the actionable ideas generated during this symposium. BuGS24 has not only brought us together but has also inspired us to continue working towards a more inclusive and interconnected global community. We look forward to future collaborations and the positive impact that our collective efforts will bring to the world. Not to forget, helping Malaysian Universities to rebuild their Buddies Association is one of our priorities now.”
As the symposium drew to an end on May 11th, participants bid farewell, enriched by new connections, insights, and experiences gained during the five-day event. BuGS24 stood as a testament to the power of collaboration, dialogue, and cultural exchange in fostering a more inclusive and interconnected global community.
Source:Heerticca A Gunalan
