Course Objectives
To build bridges of cultural understanding, promote international friendship and open doors to new education experience. Specifically it:
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introduces participants to the study of the unique cultures of the indigenous communities in Malaysia and related issues;
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enables participants to understand the communities’ history and recent marginalisation and the process of cultural transformation;
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allows participants to experience first-hand the various cultural elements of a specific indigenous community; and
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enhances participants understanding of the various forces that confront the traditions and cultures of the indigenous groups.
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Course Structure
The course on Indigenous Communities of Malaysia is spearheaded by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, UKM. The course introduces and provides participants with selected topics based on continuity and change of cultures of the indigenous communities in Malaysia. |
Course Content
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Core Content — Participants will learn about the unique cultures, recent marginalisation and the process of cultural transformation of the indigenous communities in Malaysia.
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Language Proficiency — Participants will learn basic conversational Malay language.
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General knowledge — Participants will learn about Malaysia’s socio-economic and cultural background.
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Enrichment Activities — In
Cameron Highland (Pahang) participants will have a chance to interact and live with the Orang Asli. In Sabah, participants will have the opportunity to climb Mt.Kinabalu and experience snorkelling at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. In Sarawak, participants will visit Southeast Asia’s finest living museum, the Sarawak Cultural Village. In Kedah, participants will visit Langkawi Geopark. |
Cultural Knowledge & Enrichment
In this course participants will acquire knowledge of Malaysia’s indigenous people, also known as Orang Asli which represents 0.7% of the total population. Yet the Orang Asli are not a homogeneous grouping as the groups within have their own languages and cultures and perceive themselves to be different.
Participants will get the chance to interact with the Orang Asli community in
Cameron Highlands,
Pahang, and experience at first hand traditional culture largely untouched by modernisation. The Orang Asli are mostly farmers and hunter-gatherers who also trade forest produce and handicraft for modern consumer goods. They are determined to preserve, develop and transmit their ancestral territories and identity to the future generations as the basis of their continued existence. |
Key Components
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Field trip to Langkawi Geo-park, Kedah;
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Stay with the Orang Asli community in
Cameron Highland, Pahang
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Field trip to Mount Kinabalu in Sabah;
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Field trip to Kuching, Sarawak and visit Sarawak Cultural Village that presents a multitude of indigenous culture, arts and crafts for cultural enrichment;
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Conversational Malay lesson; and
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"Buddy system' through which international friendships can be formed as visiting students are partnered with students from UKM. |
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For Whom
Registered undergraduate students at their respective home universities.
By Whom
Respected academics and resource personnel, combining working and research experience on indigenous communities and sustainable tropical heritage with strong teaching skills
Duration
The duration of the programme is four weeks.
The programme will be conducted biannually in
June/July and December.
The programme comprises:
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50 hours of lectures & discussions on campus
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80 hours of fieldwork in
Cameron Highlands (Pahang), Langkawi Geopark (Kedah), Sarawak Cultural Village (Sarawak), and Mt.Kinabalu (Sabah).
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30 hours of presentation and discussion of mini projects on campus
Evaluation and Credit Transfer
Participants are required to prepare a mini project comprising both descriptive and visual journal of their course work and field experience. This documentary should depict the subject knowledge and the cultural and physical experience gained through the programme, integrating theoretical knowledge with the experience on the ground. This mini project aims at familiarising participants with Malaysia as they are required to make contacts with Malaysians and relate this Malaysian experience to their personal and professional development. As part of the assessment, this mini project will be presented at a workshop attended by Malaysian students, academic staff, participating agencies and staff from the Embassy or High Commission.
Why participate in UKM-GLOBAL Student Mobility Partnerships
Programme?
This is an opportunity to live abroad and experience Malaysia’s unique tropical heritage with her people’s diverse cultures and customs that will help participants become better students/tourist ambassadors. Participants will have a unique understanding of how Malaysians have linked and sustained diverse geological landscapes and biological heritage with modern life as participants experience both. Participants get to learn to communicate in a new language which broadens their language horizons. Participants can expand their world-view, initiative and flexibility, which together with their intercultural experience, become valuable assets to prospective employers in an increasingly global workplace.
Cost of the Programme
Currency |
Malaysian Ringgit |
RM4,200.00 |
| US Dollars |
US$1,300.00 |
| Australian Dollars |
AU$1500.00 |
| Euro |
EU1,000.00 |
Note: This amount does not include international flight, insurance and visa
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