Following the successful in-campus activities that were held in the Kampar Campus, the Public Relations (PR) Campaign 2017/2018: Volunteerism VI, with all its 198 members, also organised various outreach activities. The activities were held from 14 to 20 April 2018.
Group 1, under the sub-theme ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’, held a beach-cleaning activity in Teluk Batik, Lumut on 15 April 2018, titled “Marilah Bersihkan Pantai Kita! (Let’s Clean Up Our Beach!)”. Along with its 40 members, the activity also successfully attracted the participation of 90 volunteers from Nan Hwa High School and UTAR.
All smiles after the beach-cleaning activity
Present to grace the activity was Muhamad Syukri bin Ismail, representing Yang Di-Pertua, Majlis Perbandaran Manjung Dato’ Mohamad Fariz bin Mohamad Hanip. Also present were teachers from Nan Hwa High School, UTAR Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) lecturers, Campaign Advisor Diong Fong Wei and Main Campaign Director of Volunteerism VI Julian Chin Chun Kit.
“On behalf of Majlis Perbandaran Manjung, I would like to congratulate the members of Group 1- Corporate Social Responsibility for organising such a meaningful event. Majlis Perbandaran Manjung really appreciates your effort for making Teluk Batik clean and beautiful again. It is a challenging task when it comes to educating the public and getting them involved, voluntarily, in keeping the environment clean. However, this activity has proven otherwise and is an effective method to educate the public on issues relating to sea pollutions. I am proud that this activity is organised so well,” said Muhamad Syukri.
“As a Malaysian, I feel proud that Malaysia has many beautiful islands and beaches. These islands and beaches including Teluk Batik are often the focus of many local and foreign tourists. Unfortunately, many still do not appreciate our beaches. As a result, our seas and beaches are contaminated and this has indirectly affected our country's tourism rate. Hence, through “Let's Clean Up Our Beach!” event, we wish to make a difference in our community. We hope that our actions can inspire more people to volunteer themselves to prevent and stop sea pollution in the future,” said Group 1 Director, Rachel Lee Li Jie.
Top, from left: Muhamad Syukri and Lee giving their speechesBottom: Ang Meng Hong, Lee and Muhamad Syukri with group mascot Ocean Ranger at the opening ceremony
While it aimed to instil the spirit of volunteerism among the public and participants, the beach-cleaning activity also serves bigger causes; which is to educate the public and participants on proper ways to dispose solid waste and to inform them of how waste can be transformed into useful practical things when reused, through their “Waste Art Competition”.
The competition works by firstly dividing the participants into groups, where they need to compete with each other in various station games. The group that won was entitled to redeem solid wastes and stationery that will be required in the “Waste Art Competition”. When participants proceeded to the “Waste Art Competition, they were required to create a starfish-like waste art creatively and the best art won.
Participants cleaning up the beach and presenting their waste art
Group 2, under the sub-theme ‘Digital Economy’ remained in Kampar and organised their “C.E.P.A.T Expo 2.0” exhibition on 19 April 2018 at the Tin Village. Apart from promoting the group’s goals, the exhibition aimed to provide the visitors with a deeper understanding on digital payment and help them acquire essential skills of entrepreneurship through the use of digital marketing.
Group members after the successful exhibition
Present at the event were Marketing Executive Carol Tan representing Fukang Beverage Industries Sdn Bhd Yap Fon Kwei, Secretary for Tin Village Vasanthakumari Vellasamy representing Yong Wai Ming, Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Department of Entrepreneurship Head Ng Yin Kuan, FBF lecturer Dr Nurliyana binti Maludin, and Group 2 Director Wai Nun Rong.
The exhibition consisted of various information regarding the digital economy, which was conveyed through the QR code tunnel where visitors got to experience the QR code scanning technology and were able to understand the application of QR codes in mobile payment systems. Visitors who successfully obtain the lucky number from scanning the QR codes were also given prizes.
From left: Wai, Tang, Dr Nurliyana, Vasanthakumari and Ng during the opening ceremony
The highlight of the exhibition saw the presentation titled “E-Business Proposal” by six short-listed participants. The participants presented their creative and innovative ideas on how technology can be incorporated for greater benefits to the panel of judges that consisted of Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) lecturers.
“With E-Business, money is no longer the main restriction to start a business, rather, it is the lack of ideas and innovation that prevents one from doing so. So the question is, how do we make our ideas stand out from the rest? This is where the presentation today plays a role – to serve as a platform for people to express their creativity and to share their innovative ideas for business,” enthused Wai.
Winners of the “E-Business Proposal” presentation
A live band Elise and performance from local artist Ribbon Ooi marked the end of the exhibition and fans had the opportunity to obtain an album and autograph from Ooi.
From left: Performance by the band Elise and Ribbon Ooi
Another event that took place in Kampar was the “Life is Heart”, organised by Group 3 under the sub-theme ‘Health Services’ on 14 April 2018 at the Gelanggang Bola Keranjang, Jalan Bukit Kampar. The event successfully created and increased the public’s awareness on heart diseases.
Members of Group 3 posing with participants after the event
Present to officiate the event was Director of Hospital Kampar Dr Khairul Azha bin Azam, alongside sponsor from Orange Fitness Century Managing Director Johnson Teoh Cheong Seng and Group 3 Director Tan Yun Hoong. The opening ceremony used a heart-shaped gimmick, where dancing images, which depicts Zumba, in white shadow were pasted onto a black shadow which depicts unhealthy living.
After the speech from Dr Khairul, the crowd was entertained with a Zumba session conducted by Zumba instructor Lau Ket Chuo, who started off with a warm-up session, followed by a line dance routine and Zumba.
From left: Teoh, Tan, Dr Khairul and the Medic Ranger at the opening ceremony
The aim of the Zumba was to enable the public to understand the importance of keeping healthy, and that it can be done by doing physical exercises, such as Zumba and line dance. Apart from physical activities, the group also educated the public about healthy eating through their “Salad Making Workshop”. The participants commented that they had a good experience and returned home feeling energised.
Zumba session with Lau (far left photo)
Salad making workshop
Group 4, on the other hand, conducted their outreach activity in Taiping on 20 April 2018, as part of their efforts to promote Perak’s heritage tourism and to boost the local tourism industry, following their successful event “Treasures of Perak (T.O.P)” Exhibition.
A proud moment for the group
Present to grace the opening ceremony were Director of Zoo Taiping & Night Safari Dr Kevin Lazarus, President of Taiping Heritage Society Yeap Thean Eng, Founder of Heritage Original Preservation Education Foundation Erina Loo, President of Taiping Tourist Association Dato’ Haji Mohd Zuhuri Ahmad, Vice President of Taiping Heritage Society Abdul Halim Yahaya, Former President of Perak Heritage Society Mohd Taib bin Mohamed, Deputy Director of Kinta Tin Mining Museum Jacky Chew, Diong and Group 4 Director Yong Boon Sam.
From left: Yeap, Yong, Dr Kevin and group mascot Historic Ranger at the opening ceremony
“I am very delighted to see the students working hard and so enthusiastic in promoting Perak heritage tourism. Heritage tourism is an important sector that has positive social and economic impacts. It encourages the preservation of heritage sites, which are the unique expression of our culture, history and national identity,” said Dr Kevin.
He added, “With the forum, it also further promotes Perak herniate tourism and serves as a good platform for panellists to enrich the participants’ knowledge about the campaign; ultimately raising public awareness about the importance of heritage tourism.”
Themed ‘Unveiling Heritage, Revealing its History’, a forum, titled “Let’s Talk about Heritage” was also held at the Bangunan Seminar Zoo Taiping. The forum discussed the emerging issues of Perak’s heritage tourism and hoped for the forum to enable participants to get insights about the group’s campaign.
The forum enabled participants to understand that heritage tourism is the soul of the local tourism industry, which greatly benefits the societal, cultural and economic aspects. The panellists also expressed their concerns towards the decline of youth’s understanding on heritage tourism and said that it may hinder the development of the tourism industry.
From left: Panellists sharing their opinions and participants asking questions
“Malaysia is a unique country that is blessed with many heritage sites. In Perak, we have the former tin mining town, Taiping, as one of the heritage sites and if this aspect is well developed, heritage tourism in Taiping will surely flourish. Therefore, we need more people to take initiative to preserve and revive these heritage assets,” said Loo.
The panellists also mentioned that the government and non-governmental organisation (NGO) play important roles to instil the public’s interest, by organising various heritage tours, seminars and talks. They also urged the public to learn about the origins of the heritage sites in Perak and encourage the youths to use social media to promote these heritage sites.
Another highlight of the event was the “Documenstory: Film Your Documentary, Share Your Story”, a short documentary filmmaking competition organised to unveil the beauty of heritage sites in Perak. According to Yong, the competition was organised to encourage people from all walks of life to explore the heritage sites in Perak. The masterpieces of the top six contestants were showcased and evaluated by the panellists during the ceremony. Attractive cash prizes were then given to the winners during the prize-giving ceremony which was held after the forum.
Members of the group also conducted a city tour around Taiping and visited the oldest zoo in the country Zoo Taiping & Night Safari.
Participants on their city tour around Taiping
Group 5’s outreach activity took place on 18 April 2018, at S.J.K. (C) Bertam Valley, Ringlet, Cameron Highlands, Pahang. Under the sub-theme ‘Social Welfare’, the group organised a children’s activity, titled “Creative Wonderland”, with the aim to improve children’s creative skills.
Members of Group 5 posing with school students and teachers
The event was officiated by school Principal Seng Wai Cheng, alongside Group 5 Director Liew Yun Qi and the group mascot Creative Ranger.
“This event really impressed me, because it has shown me so many ways to be creative in the things we do. Not only is the activities fun, but I believe this event will also benefit the children while encouraging them to use their creativity. It is surely nice to see our children having a good time as they learn, and I hope they can apply these lessons in the future,” said Seng.
“This is our second activity conducted with the focus on helping children improve their creativity. We believe creativity is important for the development of a child’s imagination and also to excel in studies. Therefore, we hope these activities will enable them to use their creativity in their lives,” said Liew.
From left: Seng and Liew delivering their speeches
The exciting event comprised of creative game booths, creative workshop, competition and lucky draws. Under the creative workshop, there were general workshop, art workshop, and entrepreneur workshop, catered for both the school students and teachers. It enabled them to explore their creativity.
Students participating in the creative activities
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