Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) successfully showcased its leadership in nurturing student talent and advancing the campus cultural ecosystem through Festival Ombak 2025. The event served as a dynamic platform for students to develop leadership, creative, and event management skills while promoting Malaysia’s arts and cultural heritage. Organized by UMT’s HEPA Centre for Culture and Arts in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) under the Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK), the festival demonstrated UMT’s commitment to integrating education, creativity, and national industry priorities.

The festival was fully driven by UMT’s Angkatan Anak Seni (AKASIA), the network of cultural clubs under HEPA, giving students hands-on experience in leading large-scale events. “OMBAK,” an acronym for Olahan Moden Budaya & Alam Kearifan (Modern Interpretation of Culture & Environmental Wisdom), captures the festival’s vision of blending tradition, environmental awareness, and contemporary artistic expression, a signature initiative that reflects UMT’s innovative approach to student development.

Festival highlights included talkshow sessions with prominent Malaysian creative industry figures such as Wanie Kayrie, Dr. Soo Wincci, and Ardel Arianna, offering insights on career growth, industry challenges, and talent cultivation. Performances by invited artist Afieq Shazwan attracted both the campus community and local residents, creating an inclusive celebration of arts and culture.

Beyond performances, the festival featured student-led art showcases, cultural exhibitions, and competitions, positioning students as the primary drivers of the event. This hands-on approach not only provided practical experience but also fostered a holistic understanding of arts management and cultural heritage preservation. This underscored UMT’s role in shaping capable, creative, and responsible graduates.

According to the organizers, Festival Ombak 2025 exemplifies UMT’s strategic commitment to producing students who are confident, innovative, and competitive, aligning with national creative industry priorities. MOTAC’s support through GSSK reflects both the government’s confidence in UMT’s leadership and the university’s role as a national hub for student-driven cultural initiatives.

With its innovative programming and strong focus on student empowerment, UMT envisions Festival Ombak continuing as a high-impact annual event that celebrates arts and culture while serving as a premier training ground for leadership, creativity, and professional development in event and arts management.