The UMP Foundation's Asean Exploration Journey honours the Muslim community in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, 17 November 2023 - The Universiti Malaysia Pahang Foundation successfully organized the Kembara Eksplorasi Asean@Phnom Penh,Cambodia from 11 to 17 November. 
 
The six-day programme, attended by 13 volunteers from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), proved to be highly beneficial to the residents. 

Various community activities such as communal work, fun games, compassionate visits, signboard painting, evening prayers, and keynote lectures were carried out in Kampung Chroy Ondeat.

Various activities, including religious sharing, inspiration (motivation), health talks, fun English, street science, and afternoon recreation, were organized at Madrasah Sulaimaniyah in collaboration with the madrasah students.

At the same time, 100 basic food aid kits were distributed to assist 100 villagers, along with 42 educational aid kits for their daily needs, generously contributed by the public.

Additionally, a benchmarking programme was held with 20 students from Institute Technology of Cambodia (ITC) on the third day of the programme. This initiative was warmly welcomed by the Deputy Director-General, Professor Soy Ty.

Volunteers were also given the opportunity to explore and visit areas around ITC and exchange stories about their respective universities.

The visit to ITC not only exposed them to the rapid advancements in technology but also opened their minds to innovations in this field.

Although all participants come from different faculties, the experience of visiting the ITC still evokes admiration and a profound interest in civil engineering. It offers a firsthand experience of how technology applications in this field not only cover engineering aspects but also extend across various disciplines.

Volunteers also had the chance to visit the Embassy of Malaysia in Cambodia, sharing their experiences and activities conducted over the three-day period in villages, madrasahs, and universities.

According to Ms. Nur Herzazzilla Ghazali, who serves as the embassy advisor in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, this programme is one of the best initiatives for bringing about a positive change in the quality of life for the community in Cambodia, particularly the Muslim population here.

"I hope that the collaboration between the UMPSA Foundation will continue to flourish, and I am delighted to participate if this program is held again in the future," she expressed.

The programme, which focuses on five main clusters namely technology, community service, education, spirituality, and leadership, has achieved remarkable success by making a significant positive impact on the daily lives of the residents in this area.

Through various activities within each cluster, this program not only strengthens technological and educational aspects but also enhances spiritual development and reinforces community relationships.

This success reflects the seriousness and effectiveness of the programme that has been meticulously planned for the past six months.

According to the Project Manager, Bayu Hanafi Norhazilan, this programme demonstrates a conscientious attitude towards community service and volunteerism. It aims to develop and strengthen participants' skills, knowledge, values, and interpersonal abilities.

“They also had the chance to witness first-hand the challenges faced by residents who are in need, vulnerable, and require substantial contributions from external parties.

“I hope that such programmes will be continued in the future to shape the image and identity of students, fostering a direct sense of awareness for the well-being of communities, not only within the country but also beyond its borders.

“With the implementation of this community service programme, UMPSA members can contribute to the wider community and establish strong bonds between students and the international community, towards cultivating caring and responsible citizens dedicated to society and the nation," he said.

By: Muhammad Zufli Zuhari, UMP Foundation

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)