Enhancing Cross-Cultural and Technical Communication Skills through Arabic Language Learning: The Experience of Engineering Students at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)

Abstract

In today’s globalized engineering landscape, the ability to communicate effectively across cultures is an essential professional skill. This paper explores the role of Arabic language learning in enhancing technical and intercultural communication among engineering students at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA). Through the integration of the Knowledge and Learning Management System (KALAM), Arabic language courses have been designed not only to teach linguistic competence but also to cultivate awareness of Middle Eastern culture and communication etiquette. The findings indicate that exposure to Arabic improves students’ confidence in international collaboration, enhances their ability to interpret technical content in multilingual contexts, and fosters empathy toward diverse professional environments. As Malaysia strengthens ties with Arabic-speaking nations in the engineering and energy sectors, the integration of Arabic language education into engineering programs is timely and relevant. The paper concludes that Arabic language learning supports the development of holistic engineers equipped with communication, cultural, and ethical literacy, key components of global professional communication competence.