UTM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Wahid Omar said the programme involved 21,698 Malaysians living in and outside the country in a poetry recital activity that had an independence theme.
“The programme was acknowledged by MBOR as the ‘Largest Participation in a Poetry Recital Tour’. It was carefully planned based on the concept of the spirit of patriotism and independence, solidarity and ukhuwah (brotherhood) in order to create meaningful impact for the students to appreciate the unique Malaysian cultural heritage,” he said.
Wahid said the programme was conducted during a backpack tour of Asia and Europe between July 27 and Aug 30.
“This is a good medium of expression which we need to promote, and proves that UTM is not as ‘square’, rigid and difficult as people say it is. Besides, we do not want to merely create marketable citizens, but global citizens as well,” he said.
Wahid said the Trans-Aronia programme received three awards at UTM’s Anugerah Gemilang Mahasiswa 2018 ceremony — Best Team Activity, Best Cooperation (Team) and the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Award.
The programme was launched in July by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, who was the first to recite a patriotic poem of his own composition, entitled “Paksaan”.