Two peace exhibitions were held at the Multimedia University (MMU) campuses in Cyberjaya and Melaka respectively in month of November to December.

The first, an SGI exhibition entitled "From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" was held at the MMU Cyberjaya campus from November 30 to December 3, 2009. It was jointly organised by the MMU Chinese Language Society and SGM to bring greater awareness of the diabolical nature of nuclear weapons to more people. Ms Yim Lin Heng, Director/Senior Manager of Student Affairs Division of MMU, was on hand to declare the exhibition open while SGM was represented by council member Madam Janice Chay Mei Ling, and the Head of Public Relations Katherine Chui.

In her speech, Ms Yim mentioned that while getting degrees were very important, it was time the students were aware of the happenings around the world. As they would eventually be "taking over" the world, they have the responsibility to find out why the problems had happened and take actions to prevent them from happening again. Hoping that they chose the path of peace, Ms Yim urged them to consider themselves "as a very important part of the world [as] what you think and do will impact the world."

"From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the Human Spirit" exhibition at the MMU Cyberjaya campus

In Melaka, the MMU Students Representative Council (Melaka campus) organised the "Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" exhibition from November 23 to 26 November 2009. The exhibition, which was created by the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College, USA, was held in Multimedia University's Central Lecture Complex concourse.

During the four-day exhibition, the volunteer guides introduced the dedication and achievement of Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda in improving the lives of all people to the students and lecturers. The organisers hoped that by sharing the life of these three great men, viewers will be inspired by the difference that one person can make in promoting human rights and peace through non-violent action.

"Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" exhibition at the MMU Melaka campus

In addition to the exhibition, the MMU Students Representative Council (Melaka campus) also organised a peace forum on December 2, 2009. The speakers were MMU President Prof. Dr. Zaharin bin Yusoff and University of Malaya's Prof Dr Christopher Boey. The forum was chaired by Associate Prof Lee Kok Kheng.

Prof Zaharin spoke on the "Role of Higher Education in Promoting Peace Culture." In his speech, he emphasised the importance of building understanding among people of different races, culture or gender. Prof Zaharin emphasised that it is not possible to achieve lasting peace without education, stating, "There is a need through education to convey an emphatic understanding of the suffering of others to help us see that violence is never a means to any ends – that war is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever for no one has the right to take another's life… Education teaches us that all humans are made equal and should be afforded basic rights."

Prof Boey spoke about the commitment of three men – Gandhi, King and Ikeda, towards building peace through non-violent means. He spoke briefly on the virtues and character of each man, and the lessons one can draw from their exemplary lives. He first introduced Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi overcame his timid nature to stand up against injustice and eventually led India to independence without resorting to arm struggles. His sincerity and respect for others have inspired many to strive alongside him. Gandhi's example inspired Martin Luther King Jr in USA, who led the civil rights movement to end racial discrimination. The third person, Daisaku Ikeda, President of SGI, directly experienced the suffering caused by war as a young person during World War II. This became a strong motivation for his life-long dedication to peace through dialogue, and the promotion of culture and education.

Prof Boey stressed that it is important for the audience, in particular the students of MMU present that evening, to learn how to apply the lofty ideals and principles drawn from the life of these "peace builders" in their daily existences. What the three men had stood for would be meaningless unless people can apply them in their daily lives. He quoted from the creator of the exhibition Dr Lawrence E. Carter Sr, from Morehouse College, USA, "It is within the mundane realm of daily living that Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Daisaku Ikeda have sought to forge an existence filled with dignity, freedom and happiness for all people."

Prof. Dr. Zaharin bin Yusoff	Prof Dr Christopher Boey	Associate Prof Lee Kok Kheng

The forum concluded with a lively questions-and-answers session. Around 200 people attended the event.