Curtin Malaysia empowers students to become social innovation changemakers through new experiential learning initiative

Miri, Sarawak – 5 November 2026 – What if students could do more than learn about social challenges in the classroom? What if they could take the first steps towards solving them?

That is the idea behind the newly introduced Social Innovation Changemakers Lab at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), an experiential learning initiative that challenges students to think critically, explore pressing community issues and develop practical solutions to real-world social and sustainability challenges.

Designed for Foundation and Diploma students from the School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE), the initiative brings together students from diverse disciplines, including Arts, Commerce, Engineering and Science, to apply their knowledge and creativity to issues that matter to their communities.

Supported by the university’s Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT), the Changemakers Lab takes students through a hands-on process of problem mapping, solution design and proposal defence. Working collaboratively, they investigate local social challenges, identify their underlying causes and develop actionable ideas, with particular emphasis on aligning their proposed solutions with the Sarawak 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Curtin Malaysia’s Dean of Learning and Teaching, Professor Tang Fu Ee, said the initiative provides students with an early opportunity to develop critical thinking and recognise how their learning can contribute to positive change.

“For students transitioning from high school into university, the Changemakers Lab provides a valuable opportunity to nurture their critical thinking from the outset. It encourages them to question assumptions, consider different perspectives and examine the real challenges facing their communities. These are important capabilities that will prepare them for their undergraduate studies and beyond,” he said.

Associate Professor Fidella Tiew, Dean of SPACE, said the initiative reflects the School’s commitment to making learning more relevant, engaging and connected to the world beyond the classroom.

“We want our students to move beyond simply understanding concepts and start applying what they learn to challenges in the real world. By engaging with social and sustainability issues, they can develop ideas that have the potential to make a positive difference in their communities,” she said.

For participating students, the experience has also offered a fresh perspective on what it takes to create meaningful solutions.

Ee Siang, a Diploma of Commerce student, said the Lab changed the way he approached social issues and problem-solving.

“The Lab made me realise that solving a social problem is not just about having a good idea. We need to understand who is affected, why the problem exists and whether the solution can actually work,” he said.

The initiative is led by Susana Tiew, Head of the Department of Arts and Commerce at SPACE, together with an interdisciplinary team of academics from SPACE’s Arts and Commerce, Science and Technology, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and Language Departments.

Beyond its immediate learning outcomes, the Changemakers Lab is also being evaluated as a learning and teaching research project to examine how the experience influences students’ sustainability awareness and social innovation competencies. The findings will help inform the development of future experiential sustainability learning initiatives within SPACE.

Through the Social Innovation Changemakers Lab, Curtin Malaysia is strengthening the connection between education and community impact, empowering students to become more than passive learners. By encouraging them to question, collaborate and turn ideas into potential solutions, the university is nurturing a generation of graduates better equipped to address the challenges of their communities and contribute to a more sustainable future.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Students working collaboratively to identify social challenges and develop potential solutions during the Social Innovation Changemakers Lab.

Students and academics come together following the Social Innovation Changemakers Lab.