12 December 2025
22 September 2025
Department of Physics Publishes in Classical and Quantum Gravity →
10 September 2025
15 July 2025
20 September 2023
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahadzadeh Asharafsadat Publishes in SSCI Q1 Journal
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahadzadeh Asharafsadat from the School of Communication on the publication of her research article in Health Communication, an SSCI Q1 journal with the latest impact factor of 2.9. Dr. Ahadzadeh Asharafsadat is the first author and corresponding author of the paper, which was co-authored with Dr. Kam Fon Lee from SEGi University and Prof. Dr. Fon Sim Ong from Curtin University Malaysia. The article, titled “Negotiating Mask-Wearing: Relational Dialectics Among University Students in the Post-COVID-19 Era”, explores how individuals negotiate the changing meanings of mask-wearing in the post-COVID-19 era. Drawing on Relational Dialectics Theory 2.0 (RDT 2.0) and semi-structured interviews with 14 university students, the study identifies key tensions between individual autonomy and collective responsibility as well as contextual conformity and personal continuity. The findings highlight the evolving role of mask-wearing as a social practice shaped by health concerns, personal choices, and social expectations, offering valuable insights for health communication research and practice.The published full article can be accessed online at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2026.2708898This work was financially supported by Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (Grant No. XMUMRF/2025-C16/IART/0025).Dr. Ahadzadeh Asharafsadat is an Associate Professor at the School of Communication, Xiamen University Malaysia. She obtained her PhD in Mass Communication from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Her research expertise lies in health communication, digital health, and media psychology, with a particular interest in examining how communication processes, media technologies, and psychological factors intersect to shape individuals’ perceptions, attitudes, decision-making, and behaviours.
XMUM Hosts First Summer School with University of Law, Hue University
Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) hosted its first Summer School for students from the University of Law, Hue University, Vietnam, from 1 to 8 August 2026.Titled "Law, Language and Culture Summer School", the event brought 15 law students and one faculty member to XMUM for academic and cultural activities. The programme included sessions on English, law and the Malaysian legal system, as well as Chinese language and cultural activities. Students also visited several landmarks in Malaysia and interacted with XMUM student volunteers.The first half of the programme focused on academic sessions, during which Dr. Irina Ivanova led a session on IELTS listening and reading using examples related to criminal law. Dr. Liu Lingzi gave a seminar on law and economics in international business, while Ms. Alice Tamah introduced the Malaysian legal system and discussed its similarities and differences with the Vietnamese legal system.Students also learned about Chinese language and culture. Dr. Tang Renfang introduced Pinyin, vocabulary, pronunciation and calligraphy, while Dr. Song Jiayang introduced different forms of traditional Chinese opera, including Pingju, Yueju, Huangmei Opera and Peking Opera.For participant Nguyễn Thanh Tâm, the differences between the Vietnamese and Malaysian legal systems stood out during the programme."I realized that Vietnamese law and Malaysian law are actually very different. But that difference made me even more interested in learning more about Malaysia."She said she had already started thinking about returning to XMUM for further study."After this Summer School, I don’t know why, but somehow I keep thinking about doing my Master’s degree at XMUM."Outside the classroom, the students visited Putrajaya, the National Museum, Kuala Lumpur and Beryl's Chocolate Factory. They also spent time at KLCC, where they watched fireworks near the Petronas Twin Towers.Bùi Trương Vân Khánh said she was impressed by the languages she heard and used during her time in Malaysia."I was really impressed by the fact that almost everyone speaks at least two main languages. It's something I truly admire."She also talked about the people she met during the trip."This trip to Malaysia also helped me make many new friends from different countries, gain new knowledge, and broaden my perspective on the world."XMUM students also took part in the exchange as volunteers, accompanying the visiting students during the programme and spending time with them outside scheduled activities.Cheok Qin Wen, one student volunteer from XMUM, said she was surprised by how quickly they became friends: "They invited me to try Vietnamese food, and we even joked, 'Who's the guest now?'"Another volunteer, Weng Kaizhi, recalled a moment from the programme. "Lay, my Vietnamese friend, visited my dorm and played the ukulele for me. I think he has made me like this instrument more and more."The programme ended with a presentation and reflection session, followed by a closing ceremony and certificate presentation. Students shared their experiences from the week, while faculty members from both universities reflected on the programme.In a letter of appreciation to XMUM, Prof. Dr. Doan Duc Luong, Rector of the University of Law, Hue University, thanked XMUM for its hospitality and support."We believe that meaningful international cooperation is not simply about academic activities or student mobility; it is also about creating opportunities for our students and academics to connect, learn from one another, and develop a deeper understanding of our respective cultures and educational environments."The University of Law, Hue University, also expressed interest in continuing its cooperation with XMUM, including through student and faculty exchange, academic programmes and future Summer School programmes.
XMUM 10th Anniversary Special Feature | My Life at XMUM
My name is Kalumba. Or, as most of my friends and anyone who interacted with me during my time in Malaysia knew me — SWAZ. I am one of the first-degree graduates of Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) from Zambia. Just as importantly, I was one of the first Zambian students there to begin with. That is where my story at XMUM begins.After completing high school in 2017, the pressure set in — What do I want to do next? Where do I want to go? How will I get there? It was the kind of anxiety most teenagers face. Months passed and I was still pondering those questions. I had options within my country and a few outside that I had started processing, yet I still felt uncertain. All I knew was that I wanted “to make cartoons and movies.”When you are choosing your next move in life, the gravity of the decision does not fully hit you until you are already in orbit. At the time of application, I focused on a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering. The application was accepted, and since the intake was in September, we had to complete all the paperwork so I would receive my visa in time. Not long after, I was informed that I did not meet the university requirements for Software Engineering. Digital Media Technology was suggested as an alternative, and I considered it, but my family opted for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), which we eventually selected. After medical examinations, submissions, payments, and travel arrangements, September finally arrived. We said our goodbyes to family and friends in Zambia, and on 18 September 2018, at around 10 PM, we landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA1). Image Image Upon arrival, we first saw tall apartment blocks and one of us joked, “Hey guys, Xiamen,” only for us to realise moments later that the actual campus was just across the street. The bright blue, yellow, and white lights reflecting off the buildings welcomed us. At the time, only eleven buildings stood. A3, which was not yet operational, was to become the library — “the largest library in Southeast Asia,” as we were informed.Exhausted from 22 hours of travel, I was taken to my room in D2, where I met my first roommate — Samson, another Zambian who had started Foundation earlier. That first night, my friends came to check on me. Later, we walked around campus and reached the stadium. Just after midnight, I realised it was 19 September — my birthday.Orientation week introduced us to students from different countries. Clubs performed at the stage in front of A3 — and my favourite every single year was the Diabolo Club. I was often the only one in my friend group who truly loved watching them perform, but there was something fascinating about their precision and rhythm. Image A month passed, and I adjusted to the XMUM routine. I would joke about the pond in the centre of campus not being blue yet, though construction on the LY buildings explained its brown colour at the time. Because of my Additional Mathematics situation, I began attending math tuition classes in the evenings. That decision shaped my university life more than I realised.The first person I met there was Ahmed from Sudan — whom we called Manna. He lived on the same floor as the OG5 and shared my passion for media. Through him and Enos, I learned more about Digital Media Technology. Manna was calm and collected, and over time we collaborated on several projects — from his shoots to my dance videos.A week or two later, during one of those math classes, Manna introduced me to Sadman Shakib, also known as Rudro. From the first class, we clicked. Ironically, we lived in the same building. Ahmed Fathy was also part of that class — someone Rudro and I jokingly “hated” because he was so good at math that we wondered why he was even there. Eventually, we realised Fathy shared many of our interests, and our friendship grew stronger. Image Academically, my first year in EEE was rough. It became clear that it was not aligned with me. Still, I appreciated lecturers like Prof. Ong Chong Kim and my math lecturer, who continued encouraging me even when I had nearly given up. I also had classmates like Wesley, Mianyu, Neo, Wong, JJ, and Wang, who remained friendly even after I changed programmes. Image Not long before completing my first year’s stay at XMUM, my friends and I decided to perform at the Global Village Cultural Festival just as new students were arriving. This festival allowed every country to showcase something about its country and culture. While the others facilitated the Zambia booth, Luridious set the stage. Image It was after the Global Village that I found myself interacting with more people, making more friends, and sometimes being invited to perform at events like orientations, Rotaract Club activities, and others. Another passion of mine flourished from this experience, and for that I am truly grateful. Image Switching to Digital Media Technology changed everything. Under lecturers like Dr. Ahmad Suppli and Dr. Lim, I finally felt aligned with my purpose. I made friends like Win Yik, Fernando, Carmen, Diandra, Qoussay, Ahmad Hasnol, Zoirjon, and Shosalim. Creativity flourished. Image Then COVID-19 arrived.The lockdown period tested everyone. Campus grew quiet. Mental health declined. Image Yet community remained alive. Friends became anchors. Had it not been for many friends and familiar faces around me, I genuinely do not know how I would have navigated that season. Image An internship in Petaling Jaya followed, where I worked alongside Win Yik and Fernando. Returning later to XMUM, I realised how much had changed. Many friends had graduated or moved on. Rudro, Fathy, Manna, Gaygysyz, and I were among the few left from the early days.By graduation, I had learned lessons beyond academics — resilience, adaptability, gratitude, and the courage to pivot when necessary. Image Image If asked whether I would relive it all, knowing the challenges and heartaches, my answer would be yes — exactly as it happened. Because XMUM did not just educate me. It shaped me. It gave me family, purpose, and memories that will stay with me for life.That was my life at XMUM. Image By Kalumba Mubanga2019/09Digital Media Technology