SBM ONLINE: Given the slightest opportunity, Africans always take pride in expressing their rich and diverse cultural heritage anywhere around the globe through whatever means possible. It is against this background that the School of Business Management (SBM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) under the dynamic and distinguished leadership of Prof., Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah and the support of UUM, organized and staged the event called African Night 2018 with the theme “Wakanda” on the 24th April, 2018. The event was held to appreciate the role of students from the African continent in promoting the international image of the eminent management university, UUM. According to records, there are over 1,000 African nationals currently pursuing various courses in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in UUM. This figure portrays African students as one of the largest proportion of foreign students on campus.
During his speech Prof. Haim Hilman Abdullah was quoted as saying “ It is one of our initiatives to recognize the diversity of our University as an institution that accommodates and appreciates the cultures of other nations. Culture being a way of life, speaks volume about a person and they’re endowed nature and worth being celebrated”. More importantly, the event was held to create an avenue for students from African and non-African countries, SBM staff as well as other distinguished guests to interact and appreciate the diversity of culture in Africa. The event has managed to provide a podium for students from at least eight African countries in UUM to exhibit their God given talents in different ways ranging from cultural performance, documentary of video clips showcasing some tourist attractions in the continent, music, to raffle draw, etc. among the participant countries are Algeria, Nigeria, Somalia, Chad, Libya, Sudan, Mauritania and Zimbabwe.
The African Night 2018 memories will certainly linger a while in the minds of those in attendance because, it was indeed a colourful and fun adventure. Profound gratitude to Chairman of the program Dr. Abdul Manaf Bohari, Director of the program Dr. Abdullahi Hassan Gorondutse, organizing committee, dignitaries, invited guests, and all participants at the event of African Night 2018, look forward to seeing you again at next year’s event, God’s willing.
Long live UUM,
Long live SBM,
Long live Africa