CULTURES converged through culinary traditions at University of Wollongong (UOW) Malaysia’s International Food Festival 2026. Beyond showcasing global cuisines at its Glenmarie campus in Selangor, the vibrant event served as a dynamic platform for cross-cultural understanding and industry engagement.
It provided the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (SHTCA) and School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA) with valuable opportunities to have hands on experience, develop professional skills and connect with industry partners in a real-world setting.
Held on Aug 7, from 9am to 4pm, it saw visitors around Glenmarie including students from nearby varsities and colleges join in the event. An estimated 300 people visited the festival.
UOW Malaysia vice-chancellor Prof Dr Hiew Pang Leang who officiated the event, said the food festival, organised by SHTCA in collaboration with SCCA, provided students with the opportunity to apply their skills alongside industry professionals while enhancing their practical experience.
“Holding such a festival has reflected the university’s commitment to experiential learning by giving students hands on exposure to the planning, coordination and execution of a large scale public event”.
“Beyond, the showcased culinary traditions from around the world, the festival enabled students to strengthen their teamwork, communication, leadership and problem solving skills in a real world environment,” he added.
Prof Hiew said the event also fostered closer collaboration between academia and industry, allowing students to gain insights from professionals, build meaningful connections and better prepare themselves for the evolving demands of the hospitality, tourism and creative industries.
UOW Malaysia is part of the University of Wollongong Australia’s global network, that extends to campuses in Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong and India.
The festival is led by SHTCA head Dr Aliya Marnina Amirudin and SCCA Event Management course instructor Dr Muhammad Naim Muhamad Ali. The festival is made possible through the generous support of major sponsors, Malaysian specialty coffee Zus Coffee and food and beverage company Mamee.
The event was supported by brand partners Australian Avocados, Emborg, Monin, Chop Tong Guan and Barista Guild Asia, whose contributions enriched the learning experience for students and visitors alike.
Workers from neighbouring offices in Glenmarie, Shah Alam also took the opportunity during lunch hour to visit the festival that featured food exhibitions, food tasting sessions, hands-on culinary workshops, a staff cooking competition, a live ice carving demonstration, cultural performances, student culinary showcases and a diverse selection of international food vendors.
Dr Aliya Marnina said the event is designed to cultivate a collaborative university ecosystem that encourages interdisciplinary partnerships among faculties to generate meaningful and impactful outcomes.
“The initiative aims to inspire students, provide them with first-hand exposure to the hospitality and communication industries through practical, hands-on learning experiences,” she added.
Dr Muhammad Naim said the festival gives a wider opportunity to experience the richness of different cultures.
“SCCA values communication and creative expression, we see this festival as an extension of learning beyond the classroom. We hope this festival inspires curiosity, strengthens intercultural friendships and reinforces our commitments to building an inclusive and globally minded campus,” he added.
Most people who visited the festival wanted to find out about evening workshops on coffee.
Representatives from participating industry partners reflected UOW Malaysia’s commitment to strengthen collaborative efforts between academia and industry while preparing graduates with practical skills and industry exposure needed for future careers.
