UTAR and NUS collaborate on community project

The inquisitiveness to learn the history and community assets of new villages in Malaysia has propelled 15 undergraduates from National University of Singapore (NUS) to participate in the UTAR-NUS New Village Community Project.

Organised by the Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) in collaboration with NUS, the one-week New Village Community Project was conducted in five selected new villages in Perak, namely, UPRA 8, Kuala Rui, Batu 2, Karai and Kota Tampan from 10 to 17 December 2012.

The UTAR-NUS New Village Community Project served as a platform for the enthusiastic participants of the two institutions to discover certain components of new villages in Malaysia. The interesting aspects of the new villages studied by participants in the project include historical development, community assets, cultural values, economic values, among others. 

UTAR Vice President (Student Development & Alumni Relations) Associate Professor Dr Teh Chee Seng thanked the participants for their active participation. "I would like to extend my gratitude to all of you for your help to make this initiative a success and I hope this collaboration will continue in the foreseeable future," he said at the closing ceremony of UTAR-NUS New Village Community Project held on 17 December at Perak Campus. 

Participant Law Zhe Wen, a Chemical engineering student from NUS said, "Throughout this project, we have learned moral values such as humanity, teamwork and leadership. It was all held in an enjoyable yet informative environment where we get a real insight from the villagers as well as from UTAR staff and students."

For the record, a talk titled "Introduction to New Village and Malaysian Government's Plan for its Development" was also delivered by an ingenious speaker Ir Fong Tian Yong, the Advisor to Ministry of Housing and Local Government prior to the new village visit.

The closing ceremony ended with a certificate presentation by Dr Teh to the participants.

Posing for the camera: The participants from NUS posing for a group photo together with UTAR staff after the closing ceremony 

New Skills: The participants from NUS have fun interviewing a resident of new village during the visit.