Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL MSI) brought academic and non-academic staff together beyond the workplace through its inaugural Academic vs Non-Academic Pickleball Game 2026, held on 1 October 2026 at Fuza Sports Arena, Kulim.
Blending friendly competition with staff engagement, the event created a new platform for employees to connect, communicate and strengthen teamwork outside their usual professional roles.
Seven doubles matches were contested between the two sides, with the Academic Team, led by Zulkarnain Abdul Latiff, securing a 5–2 victory over the Non-Academic Team, led by Mohd Shafie Mohd Arif.
The winning team was presented with medals and the Perpetual Trophy (Piala Pusingan), marking the beginning of what could become a continuing tradition at UniKL MSI.
Beyond the final score, the event highlighted the importance of employee wellbeing, physical activity and positive workplace relationships in building a healthy university community.
By bringing colleagues from different functions together through sport, the programme encouraged communication, collaboration and camaraderie while promoting a more active lifestyle among UniKL MSI staff.
“The real win was bringing our academic and non-academic staff together. The competition made it exciting, but the teamwork and camaraderie made the event meaningful,” said Zulkarnain.
The initiative also reflects UniKL’s broader commitment to staff wellbeing, employee engagement and an inclusive workplace culture — areas that contribute to a supportive and sustainable higher education environment.
Such institutional initiatives strengthen the wider narrative of UniKL as a university that values not only academic and professional achievement, but also the health, wellbeing and engagement of its people.
The programme supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being through the promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by encouraging a positive, engaged and collaborative working environment.
It also contributes to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals at an institutional level by strengthening cooperation and relationships across academic and non-academic teams.
