Book: Capturing The Malaysian Spirit To Communicate Across Cultures

"This book does not only function as a guide for large group training but it is more than that.  Its value lies in its ability to function as a guide on how we can promote intercultural communication, inter-ethnic unity and national integration in Malaysia.  It shows us how even though this was done in a short period in a situation that was invented and temporary (the training programme for the Commonwealth Games), it has far-reaching implications for out nation, Malaysia.  The positive outcome of the training has implications for capturing the Malaysian spirit for the nation as a whole."

Professor Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin

Director, Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA)

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

"This work has both historical record value and academic / professional value.

This book is a document of reference for organisers of sports events to use as a benchmark for their own training management.  It is a contribution to the corpus of knowledge and insights on the strategies and contents of curriculum development for Volunteer Orientation Programmes.  It constitutes a knowledge creation and contributive effort simultaneously from both an indigenous and a global-international perspective.  It notes, symbolizes and celebrates a tribute to the Malaysian acumen in management, Malaysian creativity and the Malaysian spirit and substance of volunteerism.

This book emphasizes the collaborative Malaysian efforts to make the Commonwealth Games a success.  It records the importance of the Volunteer Orientation / Intercultural Communication Programme and the role of the dynamic leadership offered by one of Malaysia's leading universities - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).  The work is actually a record of how the prime movers in an institution can contribute not only at the national level but also beyond, at the international level.

Most importantly, it records how the knowledge in academia can be applied to the outside world, in all kinds of domains and events, in this case, a world class sporting event."

Professor Dato' Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid

Dean, Faculty of Humanities and the Social Sciences

Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR)

THE BOOK: READERSHIP AND FOCUS 

This is a book about how the Malaysian spirit  was captured weekend after weekend during the training of the 10,000 volunteers for the XVIth Commonwealth Games. The training programme aimed to touch the hearts and minds of the Malaysian volunteers on areas relevant for them to be able to unite as Malaysians and communicate effectively across cultures during the Games.  

This is a book that is written to meet with the needs of varying readership: 

There were 10,000 volunteers who were trained at Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia. For the wonderful spirit that they manifested during the training programme and more importantly during the Games, this book is dedicated to them. IT will remind them of various experiences that they went through as Malaysians serving their fellow Malaysians and international guests during the Games. But even more, it will remind them of how the Malaysian spirit was captured during the training programmes and how much together we all learnt from each other’s experiences.

It is also a book that can serve as a manual for those in the training field, particularly for those in large-scale training and development of human resources. Given that Malaysia is working towards being the hub for international sports and bidding for the Asian Games and later even the Olympics and the fact that we have scheduled annually the Formula One Grand Prix Races, this book will serve these events. This is by reminding the volunteers of the many cultural qualities and aspects that they need to possess so that they can truly represent their nation whilst carrying out their duties at these prestigious sporting events when Malaysian stands proud in the eyes of the world.

It is also a book for all Malaysians who need to be reminded of what it means to be Malaysian. It will be beneficial for those organizations which comprise a multi-racial workforce. It is essential for most employees to be able to work in teams and this book enhances their awareness and knowledge of the Malaysian spirit necessary to be able to successfully work in teams.

It is also a book that would serve researchers in the field of intercultural communication. This is because it marries aspects of theory with application. Pertinent and relevant aspects of intercultural communication theories guide the design of the training content and process of the volunteer orientation programme.

This book is one for all Malaysians and their families. There are many aspects that we can share with our children to help develop a generation of Malaysians who are caring, sensitive and area able to confidently communicate across cultures. The book documents the aspect of humanity necessary for us to function effectively as Malaysians. This will be useful for us to be able to develop a generation of Malaysians who will hopefully be sensitive and work towards the development of Bangsa Malaysia (Malaysian race). This will be a group that will be “psychologically liberated, competent, confident” and able to take on the challenges of the future.

The book, contextualised in the training of the volunteers for the XVIth Commonwealth Games, takes the reader through the process and product of the programme. As it does this, it depicts and describes the elements that were incorporated in the materials to capture the Malaysian spirit and culture, and equip volunteers with the knowledge and skill to be able to carry out their tasks across cultures in as polite  and efficient a manner as possible.

CHAPTERS IN THE BOOK

If you need further information on the book, please contact me at saran@pkrisc.cc.ukm.my