Wenzhou Polytechnic students joined a Batu Seremban cultural exchange at APU, learning Malaysia’s traditional game through hands-on activities that fostered interaction, cultural understanding and friendship while showcasing Malaysian heritage through experiential learning.

Image

As part of the student visit programme in 2026, a group of 26 students and two lecturers from Wenzhou Polytechnic (WZPT), China, visited the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) from 1 to 7 June 2026. 

During their visit, they participated in a unique cultural exchange programme organised by APU’s School of Computing (SoC), designed to introduce them to Malaysian culture through immersive and interactive experiences.

Recognising that meaningful connections are often built through shared experiences rather than words alone, the organising team carefully designed the programme to encourage participation despite language differences. 

While one of the accompanying lecturers assisted with translation, demonstrations, interaction and non-verbal communication proved to be the most effective tools for learning.

To create an enjoyable and authentic cultural experience, Ms Aida Zamnah Zainal Abidin and Associate Professor Ts Dr Vinothini Kasinathan from the SoC developed a two-hour programme centred on ‘Batu Seremban’, one of Malaysia’s most cherished traditional games.

The session introduced participants to both the five-stone and seven-stone variations of Batu Seremban, allowing them to experience an important element of Malaysian cultural heritage in a fun and memorable way. 

During the first hour, the WZPT students were divided into small groups and paired with APU student volunteers, affectionately known as their ‘Abang’ and ‘Kakak’ mentors. 

Through step-by-step demonstrations and hands-on guidance, the mentors taught the rules, techniques and strategies of the game.

What began as a learning activity quickly evolved into a lively cultural exchange. WZPT students communicated through simple English phrases, gestures, demonstrations and plenty of laughter.

Despite the language barrier, friendships formed naturally as participants learned from one another, demonstrating how traditional games can serve as a universal language that brings people together.

The second half of the session challenged students to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice. 

Working within a 45-minute timeframe, each group was tasked with producing a short video tutorial in Mandarin explaining how to play Batu Seremban. 

Students collaborated to plan, film and present their videos, showcasing not only their understanding of the game but also their creativity and teamwork.

A winning group was selected based on the accuracy of the gameplay demonstrated and the creativity of their video presentation. The competitive element added excitement and encouraged deeper engagement throughout the activity.

Students reflected positively on the experience, noting that Batu Seremban felt both familiar and unique as it reminded some of them of traditional Chinese games. 

They quickly became immersed in the activity and enjoyed learning alongside local students, who patiently explained the rules and techniques. 

Although they initially thought the game looked simple, they soon realised that it required patience, concentration, hand-eye coordination and precise timing.

Beyond the enjoyment it brought, the activity taught valuable lessons in perseverance, focus and teamwork. 

More importantly, it created opportunities for meaningful interaction, helping students from both institutions build friendships and gain a deeper appreciation of each other’s cultures.

The Batu Seremban cultural exchange successfully achieved its objective of promoting Malaysian culture through experiential learning. 

Through traditional games, shared experiences and genuine interaction, students from different countries developed meaningful connections, fostered mutual respect and formed friendships that transcended borders.