Sharing a light-hearted moment during one of the ice-breaking sessions

Student volunteer, Muhammad Omer, sharing his thoughts on being a part of the Student Development and Counselling Department Unit programme

Kuala Lumpur, 21 January 2009 - Too often they go unnoticed. They are the students who volunteer for various programmes under UCSI University’s Student Development and Counselling Unit (SDCU). For one night, however, peer counsellors and committee members from Malaysia’s first Best Buddies group, along with a few Will Group Facilitators were honoured and appreciated.

The students were treated to dinner, ice-breaking games and other fun activities before they were each given a prize as a token of appreciation for all their efforts. Vice President of Student Affairs, Associate Professor Lachman Tarachand who gave the opening speech, outlined the vital role volunteer students played through various programmes under the Student Affairs Office. “Many of these programmes would not have been successful if it weren’t for the students here tonight,” he said. He lauded them for their tireless efforts, and urged them to continue with their noble work.Peer Counselling, Best Buddies and the Will Group are among the many services offered at UCSI University’s Student Development and Counselling Unit. The SDCU serves to assist current and potential students in the development of life skills that are necessary to enhance personal wellness.

Will Group is a study assistance programme that helps students gain a better understanding of their subjects while improving their grades. Will Group volunteers do this by assisting students  identify their academic challenges while facilitating positive study skills development through a small “non-lecture” and personal coaching concept. The Will Group is supported by voluntary facilitators consisting of students and UCSI University staff.

Peer Counseling is a programme in which students are trained to effectively help others. Trained peer counselors provide help with decision-making, referrals for various campus and local services and activities, as well as lending sympathetic ears, all in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.Best Buddies is an American-based International organization which aims to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships which UCSI University is the first institution to establish and run the programme in Malaysia. Student volunteers are paired off with one intellectually-disabled person for one academic year, enabling both University students and special children to live a fuller and richer life.

All three programmes not only encourage volunteerism in the campus, it also enables students to gain real life experiences that they would otherwise not get within the classroom. They also encourage students to be empathetic and charitable among peers and the community.

Nitiakaran, a second year Psychology degree student and a volunteer in the UCSI University Best Buddies programme, says that working closely with intellectually disabled children (buddies) has been enlightening and has taught him a lot of lessons about life. “One learns to be less self-absorbed, and to think more about the plight of others. Going out with my best buddy has taught me that,” he said.