UMPSA Kembara Prihatin visits Semporna community

SEMPORNA, 31 July 2023 - A total of 27 volunteers from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) among staff, alumni, Yayasan UMP Squad and Rakan Siswa YADIM succeeded in benefiting residents on Pulau Bum Bum, especially in Kampung Balimbang, Berjasa, Samal Samal and Berjaya.

The programme, which focused on five areas through the activities of technology, community service, education, spirituality, and leadership clusters, succeeded in making a significant impact on the daily lives of the residents of this area.

This included Sustainable Day communal work activities which managed to collect 2916 kilograms of garbage.

Over the past seven days, the Kembara Prihatin@Semporna programme has successfully carried out various activities and initiatives aimed at helping and easing the burden of the community in Pulau Bum Bum and Pulau Mabul, Semporna.

Present at the closing ceremony of the UMPSA@Semporna Kembara Prihatin Programme was the Member of the Sabah State Legislative Council and Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Yang Berhormat Datuk Nizam Datuk Seri Panglima Abu Bakar Titingan.

Also present were the Chairman of the UMPSA Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman who is also the Chairman of Yayasan UMP, UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin who is also the Deputy Chairman of Yayasan UMP.

Also present were members of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan UMP, Datin Nur Sharmila Shaheen, Farrah Ain Madzlan, Treasurer, Zainuddin Othman and Chief Executive of Yayasan UMP, Mohd Jamil Mohd Ja’afar.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, this Kembara Prihatin Programme not only provides assistance but also builds strong relationships with community members and volunteers involved.

“The persistence and communal spirit of volunteers and the five clusters have brought us closer to the hearts of the people of Sabah, especially in Semporna, in order to achieve a better life for all such as improved education, hygiene and health, and sustainable community development.

“In addition, the implementation of this programme has succeeded in providing benefits to the community, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN) such as improving education, hygiene and health, as well as sustainable community development.

“I am very touched to see the spirit of volunteers and the initiative they have given to contribute something beneficial to the community in need,” he said.

He added that the Kembara Prihatin Programme is the best example of how cooperation between the government, the private sector and NGOs can have a positive impact on the community.

In the meantime, he also thanked the adoptive family for their kindness and willingness to open the doors and hearts to UMPSA children as adoptive families.

He hoped that the invaluable love, guidance and support for UMPSA students would continue to be etched in their hearts and hopefully the relationship between UMPSA children and foster families would continue to grow and provide lasting benefits.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz said in addition to accommodating and bringing the new branding of UMPSA, he was confident that many new things had been learned, many experiences had been pursued and various new ways of life were also explored throughout the programme.

“It is in line with the interest of the university to bring the university closer to the community and the slogan ‘Technology for Society’ so that the existence of UMPSA is felt and the expertise benefits the locals.

“This cultural partnership will educate students to be more open-minded, have high tolerance, and strive to understand and respect each other despite differences in practices, beliefs, identities and life values.

“In addition, this programme supports UMPSA’s efforts to make volunteer activities an important agenda in producing skilled students and caring UMPSA citizens,” he said.

Among the programmes carried out were the Student Direction Programme after the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM), the STEAM Project and StreetScience, outside classroom learning activities and the INSPIRE Motivation programme with Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bum Bum.

Also organised were Young Leaders Chat towards National Development, exhibition booths from Faculties of UMPSA-IKM Community College, Community Tuition with students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Balimbang and Scientific Calculator Education Assistance and School Packs at SMK Bum Bum.

Meanwhile, the activities of Perdana Forum, free haircuts, sukaneka, cooking competitions and food preparation with ADABI received a very encouraging response.

Meanwhile, UMPSA also contributed ten water barrels for community use in Pulau Bum Bum and Pulau Mabul.

The programme, which runs from 23 July to 2 August 2023, can help the development of the local community as well as support and bring new branding to UMPSA.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, Faculty   of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology