Contemporary studies on racial microaggression in Southeast Asian countries, particularly those that take into account the experience of people from different ethnic groups, are limited. As such, the current study focused on racial microaggression experience amongst Malaysian university students from different ethnic groups. A sample of 40 university students was recruited through purposive and snowball sampling strategies. The participants comprised of nine ethnic Malays, 10 ethnic Chinese, 10 ethnic Indians, seven ethnic groups from East Malaysia and four of mixed-parentage. A qualitative method using semi-structured individual interviews was utilized. Responses/verbatim from the interviews were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method. Results indicated 11 common racial microaggression themes reported by participants across most ethnic groups, including ‘In-group benefit’ and ‘The paradox of over-scrutiny/ overlook.’ Also, five ethnic-specific themes, such as ‘Pathologizing cultural values/ communication style’ and ‘Ignorant about the situation in Sabah & Sarawak.’ The findings indicate that while there can be a shared experience of racial microaggression for people of different ethnicities, the actual themes experienced by specific ethnic groups may differ. Theoretical and practical implications include recommendations on how to address the issue in Malaysia.

Taking a positive psychology perspective, this paper focuses on cultural tolerance values, positive relationships, and well-being within multicultural and pluralistic local communities in Malaysia. Participants were (n=163) undergraduates from a Malaysian public university. Eightythree (83) were of ethnic Malay, (69) ethnic Chinese, nine ethnic Indian, and two were ethnic 'others.' Participants were predominantly females (122/74.8%). Participants answered an online survey comprising of open-ended qualitative questions on cultural tolerance values, positive relationships, and well-being as part of their experience living in multicultural communities. Findings indicated that participants described themselves as highly tolerant; they generally agreed that people should be allowed to practice their culture. They reported open and positive emotions (e.g. curiosity, interest, and gratefulness) and positive reactions (e.g. acceptance and respect) about others who practice different cultures. They also reported positive relationships in their communities, whereby they described the people in the community as well-connected. Using the PERMA model of well-being as the basis of analysis, participants reported a high level of wellbeing across aspects of positive emotions, engagement, relationship, meaning, and accomplishment. This study sheds some lights regarding Malaysians' cultural tolerance values, people's relationships within multicultural communities and community well-being.

The subject was represented and discussed at The National Week of Science and Technology, UFPE, an initiative from The Ministry of Science and Technology to encourage children and people in science and technology activities. The work aimed to renew the importance to transmit knowledge from simple, imaginative, biochemical models and interactive teaching. The stand tool contained an aquarium with fishes, five scale models showing peptide bond, carbohydrate inhibited lectin molecule, hemagglutination reaction, lectin-bacterium surface interaction and enzyme-substractinhibitor. Posters described tropical fish importance and methods applied to obtain fish serum and organs to purify lectins and protein inhibitors as well as to extract tissue DNA; notions were transmitted on fish immunology and diseases. The students were attracted and impressed with the exotic fishes most cultivated in Brazil; they asked if it is necessary to kill the fish to extract lectin and about lectin importance. Students were also interested to know if all fish enzyme/inhibitors are favorable to the own fish organism. The work succeeded to inform and stimulate future scientists in the field and to awake their scientific curiosity.