(Second row, fifth from right) Deputy Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Dato' P. Kamalanathan surrounded by students and staff volunteers of UCSI University.

Students working on planks of wood to build a house for an aboriginal (Orang Asli) family.

Students working on planks of wood to build a house for an aboriginal (Orang Asli) family.

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 40 UCSI University (UCSI) students and staff under CAREton Project @ UCSI University came together with volunteers from Sime Darby to build a house for an aboriginal (Orang Asli) family in Kampung Orang Asli Serendah, Hulu Selangor, from September 23 to 25, 2016. 

This community service initiative is a flagship event under CAREton Project @ UCSI University, which supports the main CAREton Project, a carton recycling campaign organised by Tetra Pak and supported by Nestlé, to promote the collection of used beverage cartons for recycling into building materials. These materials are then donated to a non-governmental organisation — EPIC Homes — to construct homes for aboriginal families in need. The project is championed by UCSI’s Faculty of Applied Sciences (FOAS). 

Present at the Key Handover Ceremony as the Guest of Honour was Deputy Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Dato' P. Kamalanathan A/L P. Panchanathan. 

During his speech, Yang Berhormat Dato' P. Kamalanathan commended the University’s commitment to foster civic-minded learning experience among their students. 

“We need to encourage growth in terms of their leadership skills, ethical and civic responsibilities, as well as instil volunteerism, and inspire positive activism. And I am happy to note that UCSI University is doing just that. 

“I hope that all of you will continue to do what you are doing here today, and expand it throughout the country.” 

UCSI is the first university in Malaysia to be a CAREton Project family member and the collaboration was initiated by Associate Professor Dr Crystale Lim Siew Ying, a lecturer of FOAS and the advisor of the CAREton Project @ UCSI University. 

Fully supported by the Faculty and the University, the CAREton Project @ UCSI University is also now a Student Enrichment Programme (SEP). As a SEP, UCSI University Trust Scholarship students can choose to volunteer for it as part of their community engagement work. This ensures the Project has a steady stream of volunteers to foster its continuity. 

The event was also attended by UCSI University’s Vice-Chancellor and President Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff and the Faculty’s Dean Associate Professor Dr Bimo Ario Tejo. 

The CAREton Project @ UCSI University Homebuilding 2016 was supported by Sime Darby Holdings Berhad, Proguard Technologies, Ford Malaysia, Yayasan Dayadiri, iM4U and Volunteer Malaysia.