University Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is the university in Malaysia that has the highest number of international students from the most number of countries attending overseas studies in Malaysia. Realizing the importance of inculcating co-operative spirits and instilling ethnic sensitivities and awareness amongst the students in UTP from different race, creed and religion, International Culture Club was established in April 2003. It was not until the August of 2003 was the club formally established.

More...
The formation of the club was headed by the call of Associate Professor Dr. Mohammed Halib (usually known as Doq Mat), the Cultural Anthropology lecturer who specializes in development sociology. A few students led by Ms. Wong Lee Jean successfully established the club on the mentioned date. Subsequently, she became the first President of the International Culture Club with Doq Mat as the Club Advisor.

In the beginning of the club, there were 60 members. Today the club has grown to the strength of more than 400 members comprising local and international students. Many successful projects were organized since the foundation of the club, such as International Friendship Day, Language Integration Night, Cultural Melody Night, International Food Festival, Euphonious UTP Star Search , Talent Searcg, UTP Grandmasters and etc.

Contrary to many beliefs, International Culture Club is not a club that promotes music. This is often seen by many through its projects where singing or live bands were held. International Culture Club utilizes the effectiveness of music to promote cultural understanding amongst its members and students of this university. International Culture Club believes that music is an essential tool for people of various race, religion and creed to unite under one roof. It is the definitive communication tools and language for people who speak different languages to hold hands amongst each other without imposing prejudice.

Notwithstanding to the fact that majority of International Culture Club’s projects are based on music, nonetheless, uses these projects as platform for students to perform dances such as hip-hop, Spanish dances, Ballroom dances, local ethnic dances and etc. These dances are taught by committed members of the club who willingly provide trainings and instructions during the dance classes organized by the club.

In addition, language classes such as Japanese Classes, Spanish Classes and French Classes are taught by fluent speakers of these languages from the club and amongst the lecturer. Knowing the importance of these languages as lingua franca of the world, International Culture Club provides the platform for both members and non-members who are interested to come for the language classes. Plans are being made to expand more language classes especially languages where UTP’s international students speak. Understanding and speaking a few words of these languages can help bridge the gap of cultural divide amongst local and international students.

In line with motto of the club, “A Bridge To Cultural Understanding”, many other projects such as Deepavali Celebration, Hari Raya Celebration, Chinese New Year Celebration, Moon Cake Festival, and many other cultural festivals are organized in order to enable members and students, both local and international, to further understand the culture of other ethnic groups while at the same time, cherish and appreciate their own cultural festivals.

All these are projects, organized by International Culture Club are intended to achieve the goals and objectives of the club. The goals and objectives are:

* Promote understanding of different cultures among students and staff of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS.
* Encourage participation from international students in understanding of local and other foreign cultures and vice versa.
* Serve as a foundation for a truly multi-racial organization.
* Serve as a platform for local students and international students to unite in friendship, fellowship and mutual understanding.

All these commitments by members and the organization of many outstanding and successful projects are meant to achieve the vision of the club where people of various race, religion and creed can stand side by side together in order to build a harmonious community. In order to achieve the paramount vision of the club, active participation, sincere commitment and unflinching supports from members, students and the university are required. As such, these goals and objectives have been introduced in all of the projects and activities organized by the club. However, these aspirations can only be achieved by human factor. Great leaders and loyal members have made many sacrifices, great and small in order to achieve the vision of the club. Indeed, these great men and women are worthy to be put in the club’s hall of fame for their great accomplishment.