On Friday, 9 March, 2012, we visited the Balai Seni Visual Negara, (National Art Gallery ). The main purpose of the trip was to create friendly environment and Japanese cultural exchange through their famous cartoon characters and paintings. It was organised FTMS Student Services Department and led by the lecturers in charged.

Students of all levels were informed a week earlier. The number of participants, including 4 lecturers, was 36. All met at the college at 9.30 am then moved to the destination by bus, reached the area at 10.15 am and entered the building at 10.30 am. The exhibition was designed to promote dialogue through intellectual exchange and increase international understanding though cultural exchange.

The main exhibition related models were deployed (settled) on 2nd floor of the building. The rooms of 2nd level were representing Japanese national anime and manga characters such as ultraman – one of the first to be broadcasted in color in Japan during 50s-60s; Hello Kitty-one of Japan’s most famous characters, white cat created by Sanrio company that produces character-related goods; Neon Genesis Evangelion – is an animated TV series produced by the Gainax company, robot (actually a modified human being) famous in 90s; Namisuke- the official mascot character for the Suginami ward of Tokyo, first appeared in 2006 and others.

There were also other exhibitions in the NAG. On the 1st floor we could see the works of Malaysian Mix media sculptor and painter Anassuwandi Ahmad, a full-time artist from Kedah, Malaysia. “I create a deep perception angle of our life; seeing the nature and human has connected and interact with one another. To express by memories, glimpses and experiences will interpret through to. That collection of images and surrounding objects has been delivered through my artwork”.

1st room of the 3rd floor was representing picture works painted by Malaysian artist Md Sani Md Dom, which features his body of work spanning a period from 1960’s to 2011, serves as a light and nostalgic review of the artistic journey and life of Md Sani Md Dom, affectionately called Pak Sani. 2nd room was occupied by paintings of Amron Omar, Malaysian artist that has been immersing himself in the world of Malaysian art for more than 30 years. He has created many visually outstanding paintings, drawings and sketches. We left the National Art Gallery at 11:45am after we had spent 30 minutes in the cafeteria and we reached FTMS at 1.15 pm.

In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers for their initiative taken to lead that trip and also would like to thank all the participants for their good behavior observed.