UTAR promotes campus safety through Safety Day for international students

In a proactive effort to strengthen campus security awareness, UTAR held its Safety Day on 14 July 2025 at KB104, Sungai Long Campus. Organised by the Department of International Student Services (DISS) in collaboration with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS), the event aimed to educate international students on essential safety practices, Malaysian laws, and scam prevention strategies.

The session attracted approximately 60 participants, consisting mainly of international students as well as several local students and staff. All were eager to deepen their understanding of personal safety and legal awareness while studying in Malaysia.

The event served as a key initiative by the university to equip international students with knowledge on how to protect themselves from common scams and threats, understand their rights and responsibilities under Malaysian law, and adopt safe behaviours in daily life. It also aimed to foster a safer campus environment and strengthen collaboration between UTAR and local enforcement authorities.

Two main speakers were invited to share their expertise with the students—UTAR DSS Head Lt Col Zainudin bin Mustaffa and Sarjan Zharif Shah bin Ab Rasid from Balai Polis Sungai Long, who was accompanied by three other police officers. The topics covered during the session included how to respond when approached by police, how to verify the identity of plainclothes officers, common scam tactics targeting students, lawful behaviour expected in Malaysia, and safe commuting practices. In addition to the informative talks, DISS distributed emergency contact numbers to all international students as a handy reference tool.

The success of the Safety Day underscores UTAR’s strong commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive campus environment. Through initiatives like these, UTAR continues to enhance its reputation as a university that prioritises the welfare and security of its students.

Based on the encouraging feedback, several recommendations were proposed to further enhance campus safety. These include organising similar awareness sessions every trimester for new international student intakes, conducting campus safety walks or simulation exercises in collaboration with DSS and the police, and launching ongoing scam prevention campaigns. These efforts are intended to help international students stay informed, alert, and confident in handling real-life situations.