By Shahnurhazlim Mastas
Pix Izwan Azman

BANGI, 17 Feb 2014 – Eleven students from universities in China have shown that the bahasa Melayu short course they took at The National University Of Malaysia (UKM) had enabled them to master the language to the extent of being able to present working papers in the language.

They had taken part in a short but intensive Bahasa Melayu course which was followed by their participation in a colloquium in bahasa Melayu held on Feb 7 at the Institute of Malay World and Civilisation (ATMA) here.

The intensive bahasa Melayu course included communication abilities, reading, writing, conversation, listening and grammar. They were given the option to undertake the intensive course individually or in a group.

The course is a move by ATMA to give greater credence and importance in the use of bahasa Melayu while the follow-up colloquium was used as a medium to enable the students to share their knowledge on the culture of the country while promoting the Malay heritage on to the world stage.

Acting ATMA Director, Prof Dr Idris bin Aman said the colloquium is part of the move by the institute to consolidate the use of bahasa Melayu at UKM in line with its mission to encourage its usage at the world stage.

The colloquium has become one of the activities following the short intensive bahasa Melayu course to consolidate the students’ mastery of the language.

Prof Idris was hopeful that the programme will encourage more foreign students in UKM to take up the bahasa Melayu course.

The half a day colloquium carried out at the end of the course saw the participation of the 11 students some attired in Baju Kurung with some even going by Malay names like Zou Yan as Haris, Gu Xin (Firdaus), Li Jianzun (Farid) and Li Zhuangye (Lina).

The students were also required to present their papers in bahasa Melayu at the colloquium on such themes as the culture and history of Malaysia or China, patriotism among Malaysian youths, history of currency in China, Chinese Funerals and the Baba Nyonya culture.