The perception of civilization dialogue among malaysian undergraduate students: A case study of Universiti Selangor (UNISEL)

Abstract

Civilizational dialogue is crucial in multiracial countries like Malaysia, where diverse racial and religious groups coexist. Universities provide critical platforms for nurturing a deeper understanding of civilization. Nevertheless, limited studies have explored how Malaysian undergraduate students perceive and are involved in such dialogue. This study explores the perception of civilization dialogue among undergraduate students at University Selangor (UNISEL), focusing on the importance, challenges, and initiatives in participating in civilization dialogue. This study employs a quantitative survey (N=362) with undergraduate students from five faculties. The survey measured students’ awareness of the importance, challenges, and initiatives in civilization dialogue. Descriptive statistics are used to analyze the data. Preliminary results suggest that while students recognize the importance of civilization dialogue in promoting social harmony, engagement remains limited due to language barriers, cultural misconceptions, and a lack of institutional support. Many students express interest in structured programs that facilitate civilization dialogue. Findings show that diverse ethnic backgrounds exhibit varying levels of willingness to engage, influenced by personal experiences, religious perspectives, and social interactions. The study highlights the need for university-led initiatives, such as dialogue forums, cross-cultural workshops, and curriculum integration, to enhance students’ participation in civilization dialogue. These findings contribute to ongoing dialogue on higher education’s role in fostering civilization understanding and provide policy recommendations for strengthening Malaysia’s national unity efforts.