Ten stations. One city. Endless discoveries. The QIU Explorace 2025 challenged students to think fast, work together, and explore Ipoh like never before — uncovering lessons in culture, health, and community along the way.
Foundation students from Malaysia and abroad took part in the exhilarating race, which was modelled after the popular Amazing Race concept. Teams navigated stations spread across Ipoh, each designed to highlight different aspects of culture, health, safety, consumerism, and community life.
The checkpoints—set up in partnership with both government and private organisations—included visits to government departments, healthcare providers, hotels, and shopping malls. Each station challenged students to engage with real-world issues while broadening their understanding of the industries and institutions that drive us forward.
Spearheading the event was our own Student Life Division and our friends at the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Perak via their university outreach initiative Gerakan Pengguna Siswa.
Our valued collaborators who set up stations during the race included:
- Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Kos Sara Hidup Negeri Perak
- Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya Malaysia Negeri Perak
- Kementerian Belia Dan Sukan Negeri Perak
- Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh
- Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negeri Perak
- Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Negeri Perak
- Tourism Perak
- Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia Negeri Perak
- The Perak Community Specialist Hospital
- AEON Mall Kinta City
- Travelodge Hotel
The Explorace was more than just a test of stamina and wit. It aimed to strengthen unity, foster critical thinking, and build leadership among foundation students from different faculties. Participants worked in teams to overcome challenges that encouraged problem-solving, resilience, and effective communication.
Each activity was designed to give the students a glimpse into the respective organisations’ duties and roles, covering the realms of science, business, arts and hospitality.
Working hand in hand with our collaborators for the race, we were able to design purpose-built challenges that provided real-world knowledge for our Foundation in Business, Foundation in Arts, Foundation in Science, and Foundation in Accounting students.
“As we all know, this is Bulan Kemerdekaan, a month where we honour our history and the people who work so hard for this country. An integral part of this is the symbiosis, the relationship between the public sector, the private sector, and universities like ours. We all play a part in making Malaysia better economically and structurally,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi.
“It is vital that our students get a deeper understanding of what various departments and ministries do, what our hospitals do, and what the private sector does.”
The event’s closing ceremony also carried a patriotic theme in conjunction with Bulan Kemerdekaan, reflecting Malaysia’s spirit of unity and progress. Students showcased their creativity in a Merdeka-themed umbrella design contest, adding colour and vibrancy to the celebrations.
By engaging with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, the Explorace provided students with hands-on exposure to the vital roles these organisations play in shaping society. It was a true demonstration of how universities, industries, and government bodies can work together to nurture the next generation.
The success of QIU Explorace 2025 highlights the university’s commitment to holistic education—one that goes beyond the classroom to cultivate well-rounded, socially aware graduates.
