A sharing session on Community Service-Learning opportunities with underprivileged schools in Johor Bahru

Nur Shamsinar Ramli

JOHOR BAHRU, 27 Sept. – Language Academy (LA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has come up with an initiative to promote service-learning opportunities with underprivileged schools in Johor Bahru among its staff through a one-day sharing session. The sharing session is meant to give exposure to the LA staff on the right procedure to approach underprivileged schools in Johor Bahru, to recognize the needs of the underprivileged students, and to conduct more highly meaningful service-learning programs for underprivileged communities in the future involving schools.

In a collaboration effort between Language Academy, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Boh, and the Johor State Education Department (JPNJ), the sharing was divided into three sessions. It started with Sharing Session 1 by the headmaster of SK Sungai Boh, Pontian, Encik Khairulakmar bin Abdullah, who provides insights into “Unveiling the Needs of Underprivileged Students.” Next, the sharing continued with Sharing Session 2 by Puan Suhaila binti Ramli and Encik Mohd Azhar bin Mohd Salleh @ Khalid, who are the assistant directors of the Student Talent Development Unit from JPNJ on “Educational Empowerment through Community Engagement: Bridging the Gap for Underprivileged Students.” The last session, Sharing Session 3, was done by Dr. Norhanim binti Abdul Samat, who is the principal of Kolej Tun Razak UTM and the senior lecturer of LA on “Exploring UTM Residential College’s Community Service-Learning Projects: Triumphs, Trials, and Transformation.”

Overall, Language Academy, via this sharing session, hopes to not only leave a positive impact on the communities through service-learning programs but also to foster a greater sense of social awareness and involvement amongst its staff members.

Keywords: sharing session, community service-learning, underprivileged schools