Racial Stereotypes Among University Students in Malaysia

Malaysia is a multiethnic nation comprising a mosaic of various ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others. Diversity is certainly one of the nation’s greatest virtues, yet it poses problems, particularly how to maintain racial unity and harmony. Such a recurring problem is the presence of racial stereotypes negative generalizations or presumptions about a certain ethnic group resulting in discrimination, social injustice, and misinterpretation. In universities such as University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), students from diverse backgrounds often encounter each other daily through social and academic interactions. Social contacts serve as platforms for tolerance and multicultural interaction but also serve to expose hidden biases. The study is aimedto investigate racial stereotype among students in UTHM and to analyse the differences of stereotypes between Malay, Chinese and Indian group among student in UTHM. The findings are anticipated to provide valuable lessons to teachers and policymakers in planning programs that enhance cultural sensitivity, mutual respect, and intercultural understanding among students.