Bridging Classrooms and Communities: From a Simple Thought to Meaningful Learning

By Jameson Malang, Susana Tiew Hung Hsia, Dr Ivy Hii Siaw Hung, Dr Yong Leong Kong, Dr Paran anak Gani, Christie Liaw Shin Ling and Lim Chuan Jet

Sometimes, meaningful ideas do not begin in meeting rooms or through formal planning. They emerge in the most ordinary moments.

For me, this project began with a simple thought while having a meal. It made me pause and reflect – What do students from less privileged backgrounds eat? Do they always have enough? My initial intention was straightforward: to organise a food donation for these students.

But as the thought lingered, another question surfaced – What if we could do more than provide for a day? What if we could equip students with knowledge and skills that would last far beyond a single meal?

That reflection led to the creation of the Bridging Classrooms and Communities: A Community-Engaged Learning Project under the Curtin Malaysia Community Engagement (CMCE) initiative.

Preparing Students to Teach and Lead

The project was designed for student volunteers from the Diploma in Business and Diploma in Information Technology programmes, combining the strengths of both disciplines – financial understanding from business studies and analytical thinking from mathematics and technology.

Before engaging with secondary school students, the volunteers underwent a series of pre-event training sessions to prepare them for their roles as facilitators.

A key component was the Soft Skills Enhancement Workshop, facilitated by Dr Yong Leong Kong and Dr Paran anak Gani from IEM-YES Miri Branch, with support from members of the IEM Curtin Malaysia Student Section. The workshop focused on communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, helping volunteers build the confidence needed to engage effectively with school students.

The preparation also included a financial management workshop delivered by guest speaker Dr Ivy Hii Siaw Hung, where volunteers were introduced to essential financial literacy concepts. This was particularly important as they were required to explain these concepts before facilitating the game-based learning activities.

Following this, the Human Monopoly game was demonstrated and experienced firsthand by the volunteers themselves. This hands-on exposure helped them better understand the mechanics of the activity and strengthened their confidence in facilitating the programme later.

Beyond the formal training sessions, the volunteers also prepared their own presentation materials. Some demonstrated creativity by going beyond conventional PowerPoint slides and using tools such as Canva to produce more engaging and visually appealing content. Through this process, they not only deepened their understanding of the topic but also strengthened their presentation and communication skills.

Through this structured preparation, the volunteers were equipped not only with content knowledge, but also with the practical skills and confidence needed to lead and engage effectively.

Empowering Diploma Students

A key consideration in this initiative was the decision to involve students from the diploma programmes.

Compared to degree students, diploma students are often less exposed to outreach and community engagement opportunities. Many may feel hesitant or less confident stepping into unfamiliar environments. This project was therefore designed as a platform to gently challenge those boundaries.

At the same time, diploma students are at an important stage in their educational journey. Upon graduation, some may enter the workforce directly, while others may continue their studies at degree level. In either pathway, strong soft skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and confidence are essential.

Through this initiative, the volunteers were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, engage with the community, and develop these skills in a real-world setting. More importantly, they were introduced to the value of giving back to the community, helping them recognise that education extends beyond academic achievement.

In many ways, the project was not only about teaching school students, but also about preparing diploma students for life beyond the classroom.

Learning Through Experience

Rather than relying on traditional teaching methods, the project approached financial literacy through interactive, game-based learning. The aim was not only to introduce concepts such as budgeting and responsible spending, but also to make these ideas meaningful and relatable.

One of the highlights of the programme was the Human Monopoly game, where participants were assigned roles and required to make financial decisions in a simulated environment. The activity allowed them to experience the consequences of their choices in a safe, engaging, and realistic setting.

What made the session especially impactful was what followed after the game.

Participants were given the opportunity to apply what they had learned by spending wisely in a simulated mini mart. This extension transformed abstract concepts into practical decision-making, encouraging students to think critically about needs, wants, and financial priorities.

Learning Beyond Teaching

Although the programme was designed primarily for secondary school students, it also became a valuable learning experience for the Curtin diploma student volunteers themselves.

As facilitators, they were required to communicate clearly, present content confidently, and guide participants through both the conceptual explanations and interactive activities. These responsibilities challenged them to move beyond their comfort zones while developing important soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, planning, and communication.

At the same time, engaging directly with students from different backgrounds fostered a deeper sense of empathy and civic responsibility. It reminded them that education is not only about delivering knowledge, but also about understanding and responding to the needs of the community.

A Shared Effort

The success of the project was made possible through strong collaboration and support from Curtin Malaysia’s partners.

The university extends its sincere appreciation to the IEM-YES Miri Branch for their sponsorship and partnership, without which the initiative would not have been possible.

The project team also expresses gratitude to the Office of Learning and Teaching at Curtin Malaysia for providing the CMCE funding that supported the initiative. Such support empowers academics to adopt more creative teaching approaches while extending classroom learning into meaningful community engagement.

Appreciation is also extended to the dedicated diploma student volunteers for their commitment and enthusiasm, as well as to the staff and students of SMK Luar Bandar Miri for their openness and cooperation throughout the programme.

From Thought to Impact

What began as a simple thought over a meal eventually evolved into a project that brought together learning, empathy, and community engagement.

The experience serves as a reminder that small ideas, when guided by purpose, can grow into meaningful initiatives that benefit both students and the wider community.

More importantly, it highlights that education becomes truly impactful when it extends beyond the classroom – when students are taught not only what to learn, but also why it matters.

 

---

Jameson Malang is a Senior Teaching Fellow at Curtin Malaysia’s School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE), where he teaches mathematics and leads the featured CMCE project. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering and is a Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA). His interests include mathematics education, student engagement, and STEM outreach. He has received the Curtin Malaysia Learning and Teaching Excellence Award and several student recognition awards. Email: jameson@curtin.edu.my.

Susana Tiew Hung Hsia is the Head of Department for Arts and Commerce at SPACE. She has extensive experience in Foundation and Diploma education, curriculum development, and academic quality enhancement. Passionate about innovative and authentic learning, she focuses on enhancing student engagement, critical thinking, and practical application of knowledge. She also contributes actively to staff mentoring and curriculum enhancement initiatives. Email: susana.t@curtin.edu.my.

Dr Ivy Hii Siaw Hung is the Associate Dean of External Engagement and a lecturer in the Department of Accounting and Finance at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business. Her research interests include personal finance, financial behaviour, and consumer behaviour. A Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA), she has published widely, secured multiple research grants, and actively conducts financial literacy workshops and community outreach programmes. Email: ivy.hiish@curtin.edu.my.

Dr Yong Leong Kong is a Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science. His expertise spans environmental engineering, construction management, sustainability, and occupational safety and health. He has industry experience as an Environmental Consultant and is actively involved in ESG and sustainability initiatives across ASEAN. He also leads STEM outreach, leadership workshops, and community engagement projects. Email: yongleongkong@curtin.edu.my.

Dr Paran Anak Gani is a Lecturer and Programme Coordinator for Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Science. He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering, specialising in wastewater phycoremediation, biomass production, and phytoremediation technologies. As an Associate Fellow of Advance HE, he is committed to developing sustainable environmental biotechnology solutions and advancing environmental engineering education and research. Email: paran.gani@curtin.edu.my.

Christie Liaw Shin Ling is an Associate Teaching Fellow and Course Leader for Foundation and Diploma Accounting units under the Department of Arts and Commerce at SPACE. She holds an MBA in Finance and is passionate about supporting students new to accounting and finance. She has collaborated with lecturers across disciplines, contributing insights that supported successful interdisciplinary projects. Email: christie.liaw@curtin.edu.my.

Lim Chuan Jet is a Project/Design Engineer at Borneo Hot Mix Asphalt Plant and currently serves as Chairman of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia – Young Engineers Section (IEM-YES), Miri Branch. A Curtin University alumnus, he graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Construction Engineering. Email: jet.bhm@gmail.com.