Curtin Malaysia construction management students organise special event for children of Miri Methodist Children’s Home

Miri – 17 November 2023 – A group of final-year construction management students from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), supported by academic staff from its Department of Built Environment, Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, recently organised a community engagement and knowledge transfer event for orphans at the Miri Methodist Children’s Home.

The event aimed to cultivate a sense of social responsibility among the Curtin students while providing them with an opportunity to develop leadership skills and apply the knowledge acquired in their academic journey.

With graduation on the horizon and the professional world beckoning, the event served as a valuable platform for these construction management students to expand their horizons and contribute to the betterment of society. Joining them in executing the event were some students from other disciplines such as accounting, marketing, and civil and construction engineering.

The event encompassed a series of activities for 15 children aged 5 to 15 years, starting with a knowledge transfer session. The students held an engaging session with the children where they shared their knowledge and insights with the children, introducing them to various building materials and engaging them in a mix-and-match activity to better understand the qualities of the different materials and their practical application in the building industry.

In addition, a networking and compassion session was held, allowing students to interact with the children and build meaningful connections. This session not only fostered empathy and understanding but also gave the students a chance to learn from the personal experiences of the orphans, further nurturing their sense of social responsibility.

Recognising the importance of physical activity and teamwork, the students organised a sporting event for the children. The event provided a fun and engaging platform for the children to showcase their athletic skills while encouraging the students to develop their leadership and organisational abilities.

Furthermore, the students took part in a clean-up activity at the home, demonstrating their commitment to the well-being of the children and creating a safe and pleasant environment. Additionally, the students donated daily essentials and stationery to the home, ensuring that the children’s basic needs were met.

The community engagement and knowledge transfer event proved to be a remarkable experience for both the students of Curtin Malaysia and the children at Miri Methodist Children’s Home. The students not only cultivated a strong sense of social responsibility, but they also had the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in a community engagement activity.

Sr. Dr. Low Wai Wah, Head of the Department of Built Environment, expressed her pride in the students for their commitment to making a positive impact on the community.

“The event exemplified our dedication to producing socially responsible graduates who not only possess the necessary technical skills but also have a deep understanding of the role they can play in society. We are pleased to see our students applying their knowledge to benefit others and develop themselves professionally,” she said.

“It is hoped that by imparting to the children simple knowledge about building materials and construction, we enhanced their understanding of the physical world an instilled an appreciation of the built environment,” she added.

The success of this event is a testament to the commitment and passion of the Curtin students, the academic staff, and the Miri Methodist Children’s Home. It is hoped that this initiative will serve as an inspiration to other student groups and encourage them to engage in similar endeavours in the future.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

The Curtin students engaging with the children in mix-and-match activity

Curtin students and children having fun during activity

Sr Dr Low Wai Wah (centre) with Curtin students and children

Curtin students cleaning the kitchen at the home