LABUAN — Students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) Labuan Faculty of International Finance (FKAL) have successfully upgraded facilities at the Kampung Sungai Miri/Pagar Unity Kindergarten through the implementation of the NextGen Nest SULAM Project recently.
The project, titled “NextGen Nest: Cultivating a Nurturing Foundation for the Future,” was carried out under the GT30203 International Corporate Finance course coordinated by Dr Suzillah Sidek.
Through a crowdfunding campaign conducted via the KitaFund platform and social media, the project raised RM3,670, exceeding its initial target.
The funds were used to construct a covered walkway leading to the kindergarten’s toilet, carry out planting activities within its grounds and install an air-conditioning unit to provide a safer, more comfortable and conducive learning environment for the children and teachers.
The Service-Learning Malaysia – University for Society (SULAM)-based initiative aimed to improve the safety and comfort of the children’s learning environment through close collaboration among the university, community and local agencies.
The project also supported several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The collaboration involved UMS, the Department of National Unity and National Integration (JPNIN), the Kampung Sungai Miri Neighbourhood Watch Area, the Unity Kindergarten and the local community.
The Kampung Sungai Miri/Pagar Unity Kindergarten community was the project’s main beneficiary, while the Kampung Sungai Miri Neighbourhood Watch Area assisted with community coordination, activity implementation and support throughout the project.
The initiative also received support from JPNIN Labuan, which continues to encourage community development efforts through cooperation between educational institutions and local communities.
Project director Siti Raihana Sharif said the project’s success was made possible through the cooperation of all parties, including the project coordinator, committee members, the kindergarten, the Kampung Sungai Miri Neighbourhood Watch Area, JPNIN Labuan and members of the public who supported the fundraising campaign.
The project committee comprised Hendrick Mc Gillford Henry, Cordyana Anak Columbus, Nur Farah Lahaji Awang, Leong Yu Xuan, Colin Kenneth Jackson, Azfar Husna Jamalarus, Qamarina Maisarah Shamsuri, Elroi Mijol and Mohamad Badrulnizam Hasbulah.
The project’s closing ceremony was attended by JPNIN Labuan director Jessica Basat, Dr Suzillah, Kampung Sungai Miri Neighbourhood Watch Area chairman Rasibah and Kampung Sungai Miri/Pagar Unity Kindergarten teacher Suernah Supar.
The NextGen Nest Project is expected to provide long-term benefits to the kindergarten community while strengthening cooperation among UMS, JPNIN, the Kampung Sungai Miri Neighbourhood Watch Area and the local community through future SULAM initiatives.
