3 days on Decolonising Our Universities

Day 1

Woke up super early in the morning from a so called "sleep", or rather should be called "rest with eyes closed". At least i wasn't really up the whole night. Breakfast at very early morning as we will be helping out at the registration counter for participants before the conference starts at 9.30 am.
The breakfast was provided by the hotel, came with the conference accommodation package. It rained in the morning in the middle of my breakfast. I was basically having breakfast under the rain as i was sitting at the outdoor. Although it was not an open air space but the wind just brought in the rain to right on top of me and on me.

The conference officially started after the arrival of USM Vice Chancellor, the deputy ministry of Higher Education department and the Mr.Ambassadors of India at Bhutan. My team mate told me something regarding how the VIP felt about the student helpers and had said it in quite an offended and rude way. Although i didn't hear it in person, but it was really kind of rude on saying that. That's when i have decided to be rebellious (sort of) later at the conference, which was not that obvious at first. After the inaugural session, another student helper and i were assigned to usher those VIPs to the VIP lounge so that they can have their tea break there and the Press Conference will be also held there. The first thing our excellency done was asking me to make a coffee for him. I was surprised at first that my job scope as the student helper has included coffee making for the VIP but i asked politely on how he would like his coffee, with milk or without, and with or without sugar. He replied with some milk and some sugar. While making the coffee, i was thinking how will he react if he doesn't like the coffee that i prepared? Anyway, the answer is never known because i left after making that coffee when he was already in the press conference.

That night, we were invited to dinner at residence of chairman of CAP( Consumer Association of Penang), Mr. Idris. We went there in 4 buses, 3 of Rapid Penang buses and 1 from USM. Around 70+ participants together with 16 student helpers, 17 rapporteurs and some other people were all invited. It was funny seeing those highly educated scholars giving excuses on wanting to wait for his/her friends so that they can get on the same bus etc. I was assigned to handle bus 2 with other 2 student helpers, Ray and CJ. It is actually my first time on Rapid Penang. The buses left around 8pm. On the way, i realize one thing. We were actually breaking a lot of peoples heart when i saw the expressions of people waiting at the bus stop for bus. 3 Rapid Penang buses passed by in front of them without stopping or slowing down at all. Imagine you were the one waiting for bus to go home in rainy day and 3 buses passed by in front of you just like that. I think you might want to shout out loud.

The dinner were fantastic. Food were awesome, so was the drink and the dessert. We arrived at the hotel around 10.30pm, a lot of the participants gave us compliments on doing a fantastic job which were basically ushering them to the bus, greeting them when they arrived for dinner and saying good night to them after arriving at the hotel.

Day 2

The next day, we were allowed to wake up a bit later than the first day. I was in charged on the first session of both second day and third day. I didn't wear the cloth that have given to us for wearing on the conference. I was wearing a traditional long sleeves sort of malay style cloth with some light make up and my hair tied up. As we were all advised that traditional clothing are highly encouraged. I thought not wearing the shirt that with TEAM USM written on it was not a big deal. Until before the session started. it happened when I was talking with my roommate, sitting at the chair that were prepared for observers. One of the participants walked to me, stood right in front of me and start greeting to me with good morning, how are you, where are you from etc with his right hand in front of me for a hand shake. I shaked his hand, and started to reply him back, i am....i am from Malaysia, followed by the sentence, "I am the student helper from USM". Then, here came the best part. He had this strange expression and said :"Ah.....you are not wearing your t-shirt today, why?" i don't really remember what i have him replied. But i knew that he thought I am one of the participants for the conference. That was why he acted very polite. You don't really get to see those highly educated scholars approached a student helper and start doing little talk, unless you approached them. We as the student helper, are not at their level, that is in my opinion.

I later said to others that, why must i wear the shirt just to show me i am the student helper. I wore my tag with my name on it and the colour of the tag indicated that i am a student helper. So, why i need to be in that T-shirt? Aren't uniform wearing a contrary of decolonising? I still do my job no matter what i was wearing. I didn't run away from any thing that i supposed to do. That's good enough isn't it? Does what i am wearing really matter?

That day, at lunch, i was really not in the mood of eating. I ate some because i have to, but those food that served were really killing my appetite at that time. I kind of fall into "hotel food phobia" that day. That day, the dinner was not served for participants, but we, the student helpers and rapporteurs were served. Funny isn't it?

Day 3

The last day of the conference. I was surprised again as in that morning, while i was talking with my prof. a chinese guy came and asked why am i not wearing the USM T-shirt. I really cannot understand why that t-shirt matters so much? What is the difference between waring it and not wearing it? At that time. I didn't really know how to answer back, luckily prof was there, he helped me out with this awkward moment. The last day of the conference, we checked out the hotel room at 1pm, had our luggage gathered at secretariat room and i left around 5pm that day. Here end the participation of International Conference on Decolonising our Universities.