LABUAN — Students from the Labuan Faculty of International Finance (FKAL), Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL), raised a total of RM6,315 through three Service-Learning Malaysia – University for Society (SULAM) projects to improve educational and community facilities in Labuan recently.
The projects, carried out by students enrolled in the GT30203 International Corporate Finance course under the coordination of Dr Suzillah Sidek, benefited the SMK Labuan Resource Centre, Sekolah Rendah Agama (SRA) Al-Lamudin in Kampung Sungai Bedaun, and the Surau Khalid Al-Walid community in Kampung Batu Manikar.
Besides providing physical facilities, the initiatives enabled students to apply their academic knowledge through crowdfunding campaigns, community engagement and knowledge-transfer activities.
At the SMK Labuan Resource Centre, students implemented the “PatchWork of Care” project and raised RM2,005 through crowdfunding.
Although the amount collected fell short of the initial target, the funds were fully utilised to address the resource centre’s main needs.
The contributions included a printer, five small folding tables, A4 paper, coloured paper and 18 metres of transparent table covering to improve the centre’s facilities and comfort.
Students and members of the school community also participated in a gotong-royong activity to clean the resource centre and install transparent coverings on the tables, creating a cleaner and more conducive learning environment.
The project also introduced the school community to crowdfunding concepts, its importance as an alternative financing method, and the steps involved in planning and implementing effective crowdfunding campaigns.
The initiative was led by Project Director Mohd Shazairee, together with Anne Roza, Daffenie Joyce, Iny Audry, Allynesa Shirlyana, Fressnica Jachinta, George Chia Zhen and Nur Atiqah.
It was implemented in collaboration with the SMK Labuan Resource Centre as the target community and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) as a collaborative partner.
Meanwhile, the “Faith C Flourish” project successfully raised RM2,560 to upgrade physical facilities at SRA Al-Lamudin.
The initiative was implemented by third-year International Corporate Finance students in strategic collaboration with local non-governmental organisation Persatuan Anak Muda Labuan (PAMULA).
The funds were used to install the school’s main signboard and solar lights, provide five bookshelves for classroom use, and supply a new organisational chart and academic calendar.
The community project was officially launched and handed over by SRA Al-Lamudin headmistress Ustazah Azliena Md Nor.
Also present were Parent-Teacher Association chairman Ts Muhamed Zainal Mukthar, PAMULA Community and Welfare Exco Ustaz Muhammad Nur Izzat, and “Faith C Flourish” Project Director Maxmilan Mathias Edwin.
Maxmilan was assisted by Alexander Anak Sat, Harvard Dennywee Willibrord, Jessie Priska Tujin, Mohd Ikhmal Reza Hussain, Nur Sazrini Abdullah, Nur Yas I Reen Isheka Mohd Usri, Nuraini Junaini, Roziepa Sibin and Vishalini A/P Silvarajoo.
The project was designed in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4 on Quality Education, SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.
At Surau Khalid Al-Walid, the students raised RM1,750 through crowdfunding, exceeding the initial target of RM1,742.
The project was implemented in collaboration with the Surau Khalid Al-Walid community and Hidayah Centre Foundation.
The funds were used to provide four wall-mounted fans to improve ventilation in the funeral management room and two sets of funeral management equipment for the community.
In addition to the physical contributions, students carried out knowledge-transfer activities with Zone 4 KAFA pupils.
The activities included an interactive storytelling session conducted by Hidayah Centre Foundation and presentations by the pupils based on their understanding of and interest in the session.
The programme aimed to strengthen the pupils’ self-confidence and communication skills while increasing their awareness of the responsibilities they would assume as they entered adulthood.
SULAM Project Director Mohammad Azzrul Asgari said cooperation among the students, community and collaborating organisation played an important role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the project.
He was assisted by Nizam Shafiq Samsul, Ariqah Mahirah Joseph, Putri Noratiqah Syakirah Awang Said, Nur Azilah Balqis, Amira Nur Ashikin Duati, Hanidya Chin Kee Kee, Nurul Fatihah Syuhada Mohammadin, Hafiz Omar and Nur Muhammad Shah Teong.
The project team also expressed its appreciation to Zone 4 KAFA teacher Nur Muhammad Hafizhan Sofri, Surau Khalid Al-Walid community representative Haji Mohammad Ali and Hidayah Centre Foundation representative Nur Arifah Ahmad Radzi.
The three initiatives demonstrated how academic knowledge, crowdfunding and experiential learning could be combined to address community needs while strengthening ties between the university and local communities.
Through the projects, students were able to apply financial concepts learned at university while contributing to educational development, community welfare and improved public understanding of alternative financing methods.
