OBJECTIVE:

UCSI University recently hosted a timely webinar on bullying and cyberbullying in East Asia, drawing over 155 participants.
With Malaysia’s nationwide Student Protection Policy rolling out in 2026, we took the opportunity to learn from two of East Asia’s foremost experts, Prof Dr Insoo Oh, Professor at Ewha Womans University, South Korea, and Prof Dr Tomoyuki Kanetsuna, Professor at the Graduate School of Education, Kagawa University, Japan, on what truly works in preventing and addressing bullying and cyberbullying in schools.

Key takeaways from the session:

• Bystanders hold the key. Empowering those who witness bullying and turning passive observers into active defenders is one of the most effective intervention strategies.
• Anonymity does not erase responsibility. In the digital age, the false sense of safety behind a screen drives cyberbullying, and students must understand that online actions carry real consequences.
• Moral education matters. Building a culture of empathy, accountability and courage in schools is not optional. It is foundational to any anti-bullying effort.

Creating a safe school environment is a shared responsibility between the nation, schools and the community. UCSI University remains committed to this shared mission.