Civic Education Through Altruism

As part of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (‘TAR UC’) holistic education which aims not only to foster academic learning but also inculcate good values, a group of TAR UC Diploma students put in much of their effort and successfully raised RM136,120.30 in a few weeks for charitable purposes. The amount raised was disbursed to 26 charitable organisations in a cheque presentation ceremony held on 18 January 2019 at TAR UC Kuala Lumpur Main Campus.

Such noble effort was heartwarmingly demonstrated by over 2,000 TAR UC Diploma students undertaking the Civic Consciousness and Volunteerism (‘CCV’) course who spent their time and energy to organise their fund-raising campaign which was aptly themed “Going 50: Serving the Community” from October to December 2018.

From the total amount raised, RM135,000 will be donated to 26 organisations while the remaining RM1,120.30 will be utilised for CCV course activities scheduled in March 2019.

The 26 beneficiaries that received the contribution are as follows:

• Shelter Home
• Pertubuhan Membantu Pesakit Parah Miskin Malaysia
• Yayasan Sunbeams Home
• Desa Amal Jireh
• Semenanjung Orang Asli (‘SEMOA’)
• Pertubuhan Kebajikan Mental Selangor
• Rumah Anak Yatim Sai Pandian
• Children’s Training Centre
• Yayasan Chow Kit
• Rumah Ozanam
• Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim dan OKU Mesra Petaling Jaya
• Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rasa Sayang Selangor
• Rainbow Home, Cheras
• Angels Children’s Home
• Praise Emmanuel Children’s Home
• Sivananda Home, Batu Caves
• Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Klang
• Pusat Kebajikan OKU Nur, Rawang
• The Max Family Society Malaysia
• Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled
• Dual Blessing
• Rumah Kebajikan Anbu Illam
• Indonesia Earthquake & Tsunami Victims (via Tzu Chi)
• Kim Loo Ting Old Folks Home
• Sincere Care Home
• Student Welfare Fund, TAR UC

During the cheque presentation ceremony, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UC, shared his thoughts on the noble deeds of the students for the underprivileged.

“The funds raised by students at TAR UC will not just be a donation given out to various needy segments of society. It is also about making a difference in the lives of others, standing on the core principle of human justice,” said Prof Ir Dr Lee, who also took the opportunity to thank all the benevolent organisations and individuals who sponsored the students’ project either by cash sponsorship or in kind as their kind gesture had made this effort a meaningful success.

Dr Karthiyani Shanmugam, Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (‘FSSH’), was hopeful of the students’ personal development after having undergone an eye-opening learning experience at TAR UC.

“The fundamental aim of education is to make life better for mankind. We hope that such projects will inspire our students to continue to help others in whatever way they can in the immediate future or later in life.”

“In addition, our students will also learn a host of soft skills which cannot be learned from text books such as team work, organisation skills, and effective communication, amongst others,” Dr Karthiyani added.

TAR UC’s FSSH is the faculty that conducts the CCV course since 2013 with the aim to create awareness among TAR UC students on the importance and civil responsibility in giving aid to those in need.