The Department of Arts and Social Science of UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS), Kampar Campus organised a workshop session titled “Speak Like a Pro - A Communication Workshop” on 27 September 2023 at Kampar Fire and Rescue Station. The workshop, which was held as part of a community service project, aimed to provide comprehensive communication tips and strategies to help frontline workers build their confidence to communicate in English.

The workshop, attended by 20 fire officers, was facilitated by the academic staff of CFS Kampar. The two-hour workshop guided the participants to identify their communication challenges and adopt the correct strategies to deal with miscommunication.

Session One saw CFS academic Mr Lionel Keith Vytialingam sharing four crucial aspects of service-based communication. He explained the four characteristics of effective interaction, namely Considerateness, Courtesy, Completeness, and Concreteness.

Meanwhile, in Session Two, Ms Kanimozhi Govindasamy, also an academic at UTAR CFS, highlighted the issues in writing, such as the use of abbreviations among adults. She also shared the importance of vocabulary and enhancing the usage of vocabulary through online dictionaries and technology.

After the tips were shared with the participants, the facilitators conducted an interactive and engaging activity that required the participants to work on role-playing in pairs or groups. The session provided an opportunity for the participants to share their opinions or present their arguments in a simulated situation.

Ms Pakialetchumy Antoni, the Head of Department of Arts and Social Science, presented souvenirs and gifts to the Kampar Fire and Rescue Station Chief as a token of appreciation. She also presented corporate hampers to all the participants.

The fire officers also shared invaluable insights on fire prevention and the proper utilisation of fire extinguishers and took the team around the fire station for a guided tour. It was a memorable day for everyone, and the objective of the project was fulfilled at the end of the day. The day concluded with a group photograph.