“UMPSA ETHNIC INSPIRATION: MY LANGUAGE MY HERITAGE” PODCAST CELEBRATES LANGUAGE, ROOTS AND IDENTITY
PEKAN, 14 November 2025 – “UMPSA Ethnic Inspiration: My Language, My Heritage” podcast successfully highlighted language and cultural diversity through a series of insightful conversations featuring distinguished guest speakers. Organized by the Centre for Modern Languages (CML), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), the podcast aimed to foster awareness of heritage languages and strengthen appreciation for cultural identity among the community.
The podcast ran from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and drew listeners comprising of UMPSA students and academicians. Around 9:00am, it was officiated by Associate Professor Dr. Zuraina Ali, Dean of CML and moderated by CML language teacher, Mohammad Baihaqi Hasni.
The first session featured Madam Florina Jumil from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), who shared “Kadazandusun: Cerita Bahasa, Cerita Jiwa (Susui do boros, Susui do ginawo).” Through video sharing and storytelling, she introduced the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds learning Kadazandusun language.
The session explored cultural elements such as the Sumazau dance, an iconic symbol of Sabah, including its origins and deeper symbolism. Core values rooted in the Kadazandusun language including respect, gratitude and community spirit were also highlighted. The speaker encouraged leveraging technology to help younger generations engage with the Kadazandusun language. Participants were further introduced to Poniukadan (Kadazandusun proverbs) and their cultural significance.
Madam Florina concluded with a reminder, “The Kadazandusun language is a valuable heritage and preserving it is the responsibility of everyone who values cultural legacy.” she said.
The second session featured Dr. Thanam Subramaniam from Sunway College, who presented “Lintasan Suara: Bahasa Warisanku Tamil (மொழிகளின் சந்திப்பு: தமிழ் மொழி பாரம்பரை).” She delved into the long and rich history of Tamil language which is one of the world’s oldest languages that is still actively spoken today.
She discussed the presence of Tamil language in media, music, literature and technology. Throughout the session, she highlighted philosophical values such as honesty, responsibility, justice and goodness (aram). To provide deeper context, a curated documentary was screened, tracing the evolution and cultural identity of the Tamil language.
Dr. Thanam shared a heartfelt message, “We must be proud and never feel ashamed to use our heritage languages in public. They are irreplaceable and should be actively spoken by current and future generations.” she said.
At the end of the podcast, UMPSA students participated in a live interactive quiz based on both sharing sessions. The active participation reflected strong interest in language identity and cultural heritage.
Winners received e-vouchers from Koperasi Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (KOPUMPSA) Berhad. The winners are:
- Nur Syamila Binti Kamarudin (CD25022)
- Che Hanis Syamilah Bt Che Mat (TH24025)
- Anis Zafirah Binti Muhammad Syafiq (TB25012)
- Muhammad Nur Syafiq Bin Rahanoor (TB24007)
- Khairul Zikry Bin Khairun Nizam (AA24036)
- Diwanii Binti Abdul Ghani Ganesan (KH25005)
- Nur Alya Batrisya Binti Abdul Jalil (AA25124)
- Muhamad Sufyan Izzudin Bin Muhamad Suhaimi (AA25190)
- Ganathini A/P Raman (PC25028)
- Nurkhamisah Binti Sakkaran (PB24093)
- Lim Jit Heng (EL24088)
- Danish Ikhwan Bin Che Ghani (VA24023)
- Adam Muhammad Hariz Bin Muhamad Nazri (AA25149)
The podcast left a meaningful and lasting impact on the participants, particularly in strengthening their appreciation of linguistic and cultural diversity. Through reflective sharing and collaborative engagements, students reported developing a deeper understanding of their own cultural roots while gaining greater respect for the identities of others.
In addition to cultural awareness, the podcast contributed to the improvement of participants’ communication abilities. The interactive nature of the podcast encouraged students to articulate ideas confidently and practice interpersonal communication. It successfully promoted cultural pride among participants.
Language teacher Nor Safura Nordin shared that the sessions opened new perspectives on how language shapes identity, a reflection that underscores the role of the podcast in connecting diverse cultural narratives.
Overall, the initiative strongly supports the mission of CML in promoting language development, encouraging community engagement, and cultivating essential soft skills among UMPSA students.
The “Ethnic Inspiration: My Language, My Heritage” podcast stands as an impactful platform that celebrates multicultural identity through interesting conversations. Its success reflects the dedication of CML facilitators, lecturers and students who contributed to the smooth execution of the programme.
The organizing committee members extend their sincere appreciation to all collaborators for their support and cooperation throughout the podcast. This initiative is expected to continue growing in future years, offering more opportunities for students to explore their heritage, strengthen intercultural understanding and contribute positively to the university community.
Prepared by: Nur Anisnabila Dianah, Leong Hui Theng, Mahzaton Aqma Abu Talip