UTM International Students Distribute 500 Flowers in Appreciation of Labour Day

Centre for Corporate Communications | Adawiah Azmi

📝 Summary

International students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) distributed 500 flowers to staff and members of the university community to express appreciation for their dedication and contributions ahead of Labour Day. The initiative aims to promote compassion and social well-being within the campus community, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The students, who face personal challenges such as prolonged separation from their families, continue to dedicate themselves to making a positive impact on the campus community through meaningful social initiatives.

JOHOR BAHRU, Apr 29 – A group of international students from the International Student Society (ISS)-Yemen at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) organised a flower distribution programme in celebration of the upcoming Labour Day to express appreciation to campus staff for their dedication and contributions.

The programme, held under UTM International, involved distributing approximately 500 flowers to staff and members of the university community as a symbol of gratitude for their daily efforts and commitment.

According to a student representative, the initiative aims to promote compassion and social well-being within the campus community, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the aspect of social well-being.

“The purpose of this programme is to cheer everyone here, and actually the ones who deserve these gifts every day and the hard work that they work every day. So, this is the least thing that we can give to them,” he said.

International students present flowers to Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), Prof. Dr. Jafri Din (centre), in appreciation of his leadership

The programme involved third-year students from various faculties, including Alaznam Mohammed Saleh Abdullah and Abdulrahman Saad Salem Aljunaidi from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), as well as Amr Yousef Hazaea Alwafi from the Faculty of Computing.

International students present flowers to UTM leadership, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) and faculty deans, as a token of appreciation before Labour Day

In addition to engaging with staff across campus, the students also presented flowers to UTM’s leadership, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the Deans of FKE and the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), as a gesture of appreciation for their leadership and continuous support towards the university community.

The flower distribution was carried out across various key locations within the university, including the UTM International Office, UTM Islamic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), Faculty of Computing (FC), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM), Centre of Student Recruitment and Admission (SRAD), Kolej Rahman Putra (KRP), Kolej Tun Canselor (KTC), UTM Sports Excellence Centre, Security Division Office, Raja Zarith Sofiah Library (PRZS), Sultanah Zanariah Library (PSZ), Student Union Building (SUB), Department of Bursary, as well as the UTM Health Centre.

This initiative has been carried out continuously for over a decade as part of the students’ social committee activities, reflecting a sustained commitment towards fostering appreciation, unity and social wellbeing within the campus community.

“It’s been 10 years until now… we inherited from our seniors,” he added.

Staff from the UTM Centre of Corporate Communication (CCC) receive flowers from international students as a gesture of appreciation

The students spent a day preparing the flowers before distribution. The programme was implemented with minimal cost, estimated at approximately RM1 per flower.

In addition to the Labour Day appreciation initiative, the students are actively involved in a range of community outreach programmes, including visits to orphanages and planned activities at cancer treatment centres. These initiatives reflect their ongoing commitment to giving back to society, fostering compassion and strengthening their engagement with the wider community beyond the university.

Despite their active involvement, some international students face significant personal challenges, including prolonged separation from their families due to ongoing conflicts in their home countries. These circumstances not only test their resilience but also shape their perspective, motivating them to contribute positively to their surroundings while pursuing their academic journey abroad.

“Some of us haven’t seen their families… maybe five years, maybe ten years,” he shared.

Alaznam Mohammed Saleh Abdullah shares the purpose of the Labour Day appreciation initiative.

In spite of these difficulties, they continue to dedicate themselves to making a positive impact on the campus community through meaningful social initiatives, demonstrating resilience, compassion and a strong sense of responsibility as members of a global academic community. Their continued efforts reflect not only their commitment to service but also their ability to transform personal challenges into opportunities to contribute to the well-being of others.

Overall, the programme showcases the students’ dedication to promoting empathy, unity and social wellbeing within the university community, while fostering a culture of appreciation and inclusivity. This initiative aligns with UTM’s aspiration to advance sustainable development, particularly in strengthening social cohesion, community engagement and the holistic development of students as socially responsible individuals.