Translated by Lieyana Teo Mohd Zulkifli Teo (
Pictures by Shamsaimi Ezil
UUM ONLINE: The Millennial Tradition Festival 2024 (FTM2024) served as a platform for the students of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to showcase their entrepreneurial talents.
The festival, organised by the UUM Cultural and Arts Centre (PBS) ran from 23 to 28 May, featured over 30 activities with participation from students across Malaysia as well as the general public of different age groups, both nationally and globally.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan stated that FTM2024 aptly themed, ‘Culture Immortalized, Arts Sustained,’ focused on the well-being of civil society and community through the development of arts and entrepreneurial concepts, as well as multicultural skill training through competitions, cultural exhibitions, arts mentorship and ethnic art performances in Malaysia.
According to him, the UUM Cultural Festival constituted arts competition and cultural as well as entrepreneurial carnivals, which showcased the entrepreneurial industry and community.
He said FTM2024 was an exceptional endeavour, as it united the talent and potential of students from various cultural backgrounds, tradition, and perspectives to carry out the programme.
“The university fully supports the organisation of this programme as it offers students a medium to acquire non-academic skills.
“I am extremely proud of the students’ appreciation for the spirit of progressiveness and their active participate in every cultural and arts programme organised both on and off-campus. The element of student empowerment is seen inculcated looking at how FTM2024 is entirely managed by the Creative Talent Management (CTM) in collaboration with 13 student cultural bodies,” he said during the closing ceremony of the Millennial Tradition Fiesta Closing Ceremony UCF X 3K 2024 and 2023 UUM Arts Award Night in conjunction with UUM’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at PBS earlier.
Prof. Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan also highlighted that this programme supported the entrepreneurial agenda among youth by incorporating the concept of arts entrepreneurship. This was achieved through strong partnership between Kedah Entrepreneur Development Unit (UPUK) and Co-operative and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (CEDI).
He urged UUM students to demonstrate to the global community that UUM can succeed in all fields while preserving long-inherited traditions and cultures.
“The university hopes that festivals like this will continue in the future and always serve as an avenue for students to hone their soft skills and showcase their potential,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Programme Director of FTM2024, Ms. Nurain Fakhira Auni Dzulkifli said that the fiesta was aimed at nurturing a critically thinking society.
According to her, students can challenge the dominant narratives surrounding arts and culture, in fact they can explore and analyse the role of technology in shaping cultural experiences, while also advocating for diversity and inclusivity.
Overall, she stated that this fiesta was an excellent way to promote traditional arts and cultural heritage among the younger generation, engage community engagement and boost the creativity of the younger generation especially university students to learn professional work techniques for the future.
The night witnessed various awards being contested, where Mr. Muhammad Sobri Mohd Sarib won the 2023 Citra Budayawan Awar; Ms. Nurain Fakhira Auni Dzulkifli won the 2023 Citra Budayati Award; Assoc. Prof. Dr Lily Julienti Abu Bakar was awarded the 2024 Jasa Bakti Award; Dr Mohd Abidzar Zainol Abidin was awarded the Sanjung Budi Award and INASIS Tradewinds emerged as the overall champion.
Among other awards presented were the Citra Budaya awards for Dance, Theatre, Music, Broadcasting, Event Management, Literary Appreciation, Nasyeed, Journalism, Cinema Film, Visual Arts, Photography and Japanese Culture.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Research and Innovation) Prof. Dr. Russayani Ismail; Dean of Student Affairs Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Massudi Mahmuddin; Director of the Art and Culture Centre, Dr. Mohd Azhar Abu Bakar; President of the Student Representative Council, Mr.Syahril Ahmad Sofian and UUM senior officials.