By: Khairul Ziana Kinainah

In today’s fast-paced digital era, efforts to elevate arts and culture among the younger generation present a significant challenge. However, students in institutions of higher education, such as Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), continue to demonstrate that cultural heritage will never be forgotten—indeed, it continues to thrive through various creative and impactful initiatives.

One approach that is gaining popularity is the organization of arts and cultural programmes by the students themselves, including campus theatre, poetry recital competitions, traditional dance workshops, and ethnic music performances. These programmes serve not only as platforms for expression but also as dynamic learning spaces for students to understand the values, symbols, and identity of local culture.

Beyond performances, students can also engage in cultural heritage preservation and documentation projects. For example, through academic assignments, credited co-curricular activities, fieldwork, interviews with veteran artists, short documentary production, and data collection on fading cultural practices.

At UPM, for instance, the Astaka Seni serves as a central hub that connects traditional arts with the new generation. Gotong-royong (community work) projects, such as painting and decorating the area, reflect students’ spirit in preserving the arts space as a collective symbol of a culture-loving campus.

More interestingly, students can leverage social media to expand their cultural networks—from TikTok to YouTube—by creating cultural content such as flash mobs, ‘Zapin’ dance tutorials, classic Malay-language skits, and creative digital pantun (poetry). This proves that traditional arts don’t have to remain “classic”—they can be fresh and relevant with a modern twist.

In conclusion, students are not merely inheritors of culture—they are now the catalysts and movers of national heritage. Ongoing efforts to nurture a love for the arts and culture must be strengthened, supported, and celebrated so that this heritage continues to flourish in the hearts of future generations.

Date of Input: 25/04/2025 | Updated: 26/05/2025 | nureedayu