Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysia)
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) was established in 2002 as a private, not-for-profit Malaysian university. Today its student enrolment has reached more than 19,000 in 10 faculties on four campuses. UTAR has also invested major resources into becoming a prominent research university. UTAR’s mission includes “inculcating among the UTAR’s community high moral values, appreciation of the rich diversity in a multiethnic society and an abiding concern for the betterment of all humankind.” UTAR’s website>>
Centre for Extension Education (CEE)
The Centre for Extension Education (CEE) at UTAR promotes involvement in community projects and cultural preservation. CEE:
- Provides continuing education opportunities, including discounted rates for seniors;
- Hosts public lectures and workshops;
- Provides training and capacity-building support to local NGOs. These include training on First Aid, Occupational Health and Safety, and environmental sustainability;
- Promotes multi-cultural values by offering courses such as Mandarin, Chinese Brush Painting and Chinese Music (Gu Zheng), English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Malay language to develop multi-cultural and community values.
UTAR New Village Project
New Villages were guarded camps which the British established during the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s, to segregate the villagers from the early Malayan Races Liberation Army insurgents and cut off the rebels’ support and supplies. Today, about 450-500 of these villages still exist and are often economically underdeveloped and lack job opportunities for the next generation. UTAR’s Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) runs the New Village Project to encourage students to engage in sustainable economic development activities in these villages around the country. Students have undertaken surveys of the resources and needs of a number of these New Villages.
UTAR is also implementing the New Village Community Care Program. DSSC is partnering with students and staff of all faculties such as Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Students will use their skills acquired through their study to contribute to the well being of the local community. Activities are organized by the students such as health campaigns, talks, and workshops to promote the following to the community for sustainable development:
- To learn and deepen awareness of environmental and health issues.
- To reflect on own modes of living, and make the necessary changes towards sustainability.
- To empower the local people to take concrete action to resolve the issues faced.
Community Engagements Organized by UTAR Students’ Societies and Clubs
UTAR encourages its students to participate actively in various community outreach activities to develop the spirit of caring for the community through activities organised by the Students Societies and Clubs, particularly the ones organised by voluntary groups such as the Community Service Society. Such activities include visits to charity homes, orphanage homes, and disabled homes, organizing donation campaigns for charity and volunteering at the National Zoo, to name a few. Additionally, the Community Service Society at UTAR also plays an active role in promoting eco-friendly initiatives, such as the Plant Adoption Campaigns, 30-Hour Famine Camps, Eco-Friendly Campaigns, Eco Shopping Spree, Green Alert: Say No to Polystyrene Campaign, Green Alert: Biodegradable Food Container Campaign, Green Run, Recycling Campaigns, UTAR Earth Hour. Learn more>>