Midwest Institute Projects

PROJECTS

The Malaysian Mélange:
Managing Disparate Identities in a Globalizing World
~ Summer 2009 ~

Malaysia has made impressive strides in recent decades developing itself into an international center for commerce and technology. It has become a major hub for the IT industry, a key provider of knowledge-based human resource development, an important destination for international students, a regional center for the growing Islamic banking sector, as well as a popular tourist destination. At the same time, Malaysia is an ethnically diverse society that must balance the interests of significant Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities while respecting the unique cultures of numerous smaller indigenous groups.

This group study project will provide opportunities for American high school teachers and community college lecturers to gain first-hand knowledge of how globalization affects Malaysian citizens. The program will begin in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur with an exploration of why Malaysia’s cosmopolitan society has been so attractive to legions of industrialists, designers, missionaries, and other exponents of globalization. It will then afford opportunities to visit the historic sultanate of Melaka, Malay fishing villages in Terengganu, the Chinese-majority port city of Penang, and traditional villages in Sarawak, Borneo in order to understand how Malaysians from various walks of life seek to preserve their unique cultures and secure sustainable positions within a rapidly globalizing economy.

Project Director, Overseas Leader, and Country Advisor: Theo Sypris, Felix Gagliano, and Richard Kraince

DAY/DATE	LOCALE	ACTIVITY
MAY 12-13	Kalamazoo, MI	Pre-Departure Workshop
DAY 1: 6/21	Chicago	Pre-Departure Orientation
DAY 2: 6/22	Chicago	Departure for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
DAY 3: 6/23	Transit	Transit
DAY 4: 6/24	Kuala Lumpur	Arrival
DAY 5: 6/25	Kuala Lumpur	Morning - Orientation at MACEE (Malaysian American Commission on Educational Exchange) Late Morning – Visit U.S. Embassy Afternoon - Welcome tea at the University of Malaya
DAY 6: 6/27	Kuala Lumpur	The Making of Modern Malaysia Morning – Lecture on Malaysian history and formation at the University of Malaya; Tour of Kuala Lumpur historic sites: Masjid Jamek, Merdeka Square, Railway Station, Lunch at the Coliseum Hotel Afternoon – Lecture on global culture at KLCC (Twin Towers) Evening – Cultural performance and dinner at Seri Melayu
DAY 7: 6/28	Day trip to Melaka	Colonialism in Malaysia Morning – Travel to Melaka; Cultural Tour Afternoon – Lectures on British Colonialism in Malaysia and the History of the Straits Settlements by Dr. Latif Abu Bakar Evening – Return to Kuala Lumpur
DAY 8: 6/29	Kuala Lumpur	Malaysian Government and Politics Morning – Guided Tour of Putrajaya; Lecture on international relations Afternoon – Forum on Malaysian government structure and political parties, national development strategies, and at University of Malaya
DAY 9: 6/30	Kuala Lumpur	Nationalism and National Identity Early Morning – Visit National Mosque Morning – Lecture on ethnic, religious and social relations in Malaysian society at University of Malaya Afternoon – Forum on Islamic Movements in Malaysia with Dr. Silahi Hassan of UKM at Islamic Art Museum Late Afternoon – Visit Masjid India
DAY 10: 7/1	Kuala Lumpur to Penang	Chinese Malaysians Morning – In Transit Afternoon – Lecture on the Straits Chinese and importance of Penang as a Straits Settlement; rickshaw tour of Georgetown (Blue Mansion, Khoo Kongsi Clan House, Fort Cornwallis)
DAY 11: 7/2	Penang	Civil Society in Malaysia Morning – Lecture on the development and experience of civil society organizations in Malaysia; visit to office of Aliran and discussion with related civil society groups Afternoon – Lecture on engaged Buddhism in Malaysia; Visit to Kek Lok Si temple complex
DAY 12: 7/3	Penang	Malaysian Business Environment Morning – Lecture on foreign contributions to national development; Lecture on multi-cultural management (USM) Afternoon – Island tour – Fruit farms, batik factory, Batu Ferrenghi Beach Late afternoon/evening – Lecture on contribution of tourism to Malaysian development; dinner at the beach
DAY 13: 7/4	Penang to Terengganu	In Transit Morning – Scenic Bus Tour from Penang to Terengganu Late Afternoon - Visit to waterfront and dinner; stay at chalets on beach
DAY 14: 7/5	Terengganu	Islam and Society Morning - visit to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Sheikh Abdul Malik Afternoon - Discussion of Islamic politics at the Sultan Zainal Abidin Islamic College (KUSZA) Evening - visit to Central Market
DAY 15: 7/6	Day trip to Kelantan	The Islamist Alternative and the Malays Early Morning – Travel to Kelantan; visit Kampung Kraftangan Afternoon – Lecture on Malay history and culture at Islamic Studies Library, Nilam Puri Late Afternoon – Visit Royal Museum, Central Market Evening – Return to Terengganu
DAY 16: 7/7	Terengganu	Survival of Traditional Livelihoods Morning – Visit Terengganu State Museum; Lecture on livelihoods, environment and sustainability on the East Coast (sea turtles, etc.) at University College of Science and Technology Malaysia (KUSTEM) Afternoon - Excursion to Marang fishing village and Kapas Island
DAY 17: 7/8	Terengganu	Traditional Art and Culture Morning/Afternoon - Lecture on traditional arts; visit to kite makers, batik workshop, view top spinning demonstration, boat builders Late Afternoon – Discussion on future of traditional arts and use in Malaysia’s development
DAY 18: 7/9	Terengganu to Sarawak	Morning/Afternoon – Fly to Sarawak Evening – Dinner on the waterfront
DAY 19: 7/10	Sarawak	Indigenous Peoples and Cultures All day – Visit to the Cultural Village: Lecture on ethnic groups of Malaysian Borneo, Attend performance at Cultural Village
DAY 20: 7/11	Sarawak	East/West Malaysia Integration Morning – Discussion on the political integration of East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia with state government officials and Kuching city officials; Discussion of indigenous politics and land ownership Afternoon/Evening – Attend Rainforest Music Festival
DAY 21: 7/12	Sarawak	The National Environment and Globalization: I Morning – Lecture on forest management and deforestation at Sawarak Museum Late Morning – Travel by boat to Skrang Late Afternoon – Lecture/discussion on forest livelihoods and impact of development on people and wildlife Overnight in long house
DAY 22: 7/13	Sarawak	The Natural Environment and Globalization: II Morning – Travel to Bako Center, Bako National Park Afternoon – Lecture on Ecotourism at Bako Center (Lecturer from University of Sawarak and/or Ministry of Tourism) Evening – Travel back to Kuching
DAY 23: 7/14	Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur	Morning – In transit Afternoon – Visit to the Lake Gardens (Butterfly Park, Bird Park, Orchid Garden)
DAY 24: 7/15	Kuala Lumpur	Media and Popular Culture Morning – Lectures on Malaysian media and popular culture and on the Multimedia Super Corridor and the technology industry in Malaysia at MSC Afternoon – Visit to Cyberjaya Evening – Contemporary performing arts show
DAY 25: 7/16	Kuala Lumpur	Indian Malaysians Morning/Afternoon – Lecture on the Indian community in Malaysia; Lecture on religion of the Indian community; Banana leaf lunch; Visit to Batu Caves Evening – Attend Sutra Dance Company performance with Mano Maniam
DAY 26: 7/17	Kuala Lumpur	Education Policy Morning – Lecture on Malaysian national education policy and language policy at UKM, visit to local school Afternoon – Lecture on education and the propagation of Islamic culture with Faculty of Islamic Studies at UKM; visit to UKM’s Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA)
DAY 27: 7/18	Kuala Lumpur	Afternoon - Closing reception at University of Malaya; Dinner at KL Tower revolving restaurant
DAY 28: 7/19	Kuala Lumpur	Departure

PROJECTS

The Malaysian Mélange: Managing Disparate Identities in a Globalizing World ~ Summer 2009 ~

The Malaysian Mélange:
Managing Disparate Identities in a Globalizing World
~ Summer 2009 ~