UTAR's impactful community service initiatives in 2023

In 2023, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) reaffirmed its commitment to community service through numerous impactful events and initiatives. Conducting a total of 1,064 sessions that engaged 352,105 participants, including students, staff, and the public, UTAR showcased its dedication to extending its influence beyond the campus. Among the notable highlights from the faculties, departments, and divisions of UTAR are as follows:

The Faculty of Information and Communication Technology partnered with the Alumni Association of National Taiwan University Malaysia (AANTUM) to co-organise the NSSPC2023: Grand Final Competition at Sekolah Menengah Hin Hua, Klang. Held in September 2023, the national secondary school programming contest featured five hybrid ICT workshops, qualifying tests, and a physical final contest. UTAR FICT’s participation aimed to foster ICT interest among youth. A technical committee, led by Prof Ts Dr Liew Soung Yue along with twelve UTAR FICT staff members, was established to oversee various aspects of the competition.

The Faculty of Business and Finance launched the “Caring for a Better Tomorrow” project at Pertubuhan Amal Ai Xin Fan Tong in Ipoh on 23 March 2023 to support underprivileged individuals by collaborating with the organisation. The project had dual objectives: providing students with practical learning experiences through community assistance and promoting UTAR’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The project engaged 67 UTAR students and 400 community members.

The Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD) held an event titled “Introduction to nanomaterials and their applications in environment and food packaging” at SMJK Jit Sin in Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. This community service event aimed to highlight their award-winning project from the IBCEX 2023 competition and engage students in research activities. The exhibition increased awareness among 2,160 individuals, including students and teachers, about nanomaterials and their environmental and food packaging applications.

Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) organised the inaugural Karnival STEM dan Keusahawanan at SMK Seksyen 18 Shah Alam, in partnership with SMK Seksyen 18 and Pejabat Jaringan Industri, Komuniti dan Alumni (ICAN) of UiTM Shah Alam. The STEM carnival introduced STEM education to teachers and students through interactive activities that encouraged creativity and innovation, while the entrepreneurship carnival aimed to enhance students’ business skills. The event was inaugurated by YB Tuan Danial Al-Rashid bin Haron Aminar Rashid, Ahli Dewan Negeri (ADN) DUN Batu Tiga, and was attended by approximately 1,000 participants, including students and teachers.

The Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC), alongside the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences and Business and Finance, partnered with the ECM Libra Foundation to offer comprehensive English, Bahasa Malaysia, and IT tuition programmes to selected primary schools in Perak. The programme aimed to foster social responsibility among UTAR staff and students while providing quality education to young learners. It concluded on 18 November 2023, at the Kampar Campus, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration.

In summary, UTAR’s community services in 2023 demonstrated a strong commitment to social impact through a variety of initiatives across its faculties and departments. These efforts, ranging from healthcare outreach to educational workshops, have empowered communities and demonstrated UTAR’s dedication to positive change.