By: Nur Syamila Kamarul Arefin
HULU LANGAT, 11 January – A total of 70 first-year students from the Faculty of Human Ecology (FEM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) participated in the Service Learning Malaysia – University for Society (SULAM) programme through the SULAM-JSKPCARE@Community initiative, which was successfully carried out at Kampung Batu 14, Hulu Langat.
Project leader Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Rosnon said the programme provided students with valuable opportunities to apply community development theories learned in lectures to real-world settings.
“Through the SULAM approach, students not only gain theoretical understanding of community development, but are also exposed to the social, cultural and economic realities of local communities. This helps them develop a more holistic perspective and enhances their social awareness as future graduates,” he said.
He added that the strategic collaboration between UPM and the Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) of Batu 14, with the support of community organisations, relevant agencies and strategic partners including Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM), reflects a shared commitment to empowering communities through inclusive, needs-based approaches.
“Cross-sector collaboration is crucial to ensure that every intervention implemented truly benefits the community and aligns with the actual needs of residents,” he said.
Throughout the programme, students were directly involved in communal activities such as gotong-royong and rewang together with the villagers, providing them with hands-on exposure to the values of togetherness, volunteerism and social responsibility.
“This engagement also helped students understand the role of local leadership in coordinating community participation, as well as planning and implementing grassroots-level development activities,” he added.
Dr. Mohd Roslan noted that students were also exposed to eco-tourism initiatives developed by the Kampung Batu 14 community, offering insights into how local resources can be sustainably utilised and transformed into income-generating opportunities.
“This experience strengthens students’ understanding of community-based development concepts that emphasise empowerment, internal strengths and long-term sustainability,” he said.
Overall, the SULAM-JSKPCARE@Community initiative highlights the significant role of universities as catalysts for social change through practical, high-impact, community-based learning.
