Curtin Media and Communication students bring joy to Miri’s POKUFM community with vibrant Fun Day

Miri, Sarawak – 16 October 2024 – The Miri Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (POKUFM) centre was filled with laughter and energy recently, thanks to a vibrant Fun Day organised by Curtin University Malaysia’s Media and Communication students. The event, held at the POKUFM centre in Piasau Camp, created an unforgettable experience for POKUFM members and their families, blending fun with purpose.

As part of their Community Media Production course assignment, the students brought together the POKUFM community for a day of exciting games, activities, and bonding. The event served as more than just a fun gathering – it was a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with physical disabilities in Miri and to showcase how ethical media can uplift underserved communities.

Founded in 2016, POKUFM is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the needs and aspirations of those with physical disabilities in the Miri area. The Fun Day event aligned perfectly with their mission by creating an inclusive environment where the community could feel empowered and celebrated.

Dr. Marcelo Schellini, the course lecturer, expressed the importance of using media to highlight the rights and needs of individuals with impairments, who are often overlooked in society.

“Our students created multimedia content – videos, photos, social media posts – that will boost POKUFM’s online presence and raise awareness of the organisation’s efforts,” he said. “This not only enhances their visibility but also creates lasting digital assets to further their cause.”

In addition to media production, the day featured a range of engaging activities for POKUFM members, from an upbeat aerobics session to games like Mix and Match, Rubber Band Passing, and Fast Eater. The fun did not stop there, as participants competed in the hilarious Blow the Flour game, and enjoyed a heartfelt storytelling session. The day wrapped up with a lucky draw session.

The success of the event was made possible by the unwavering support of the Curtin Volunteers!, the student-run volunteering organisation at Curtin Malaysia, whose hard work behind the scenes ensured that everything ran smoothly. Dr. Schellini extended his thanks to the CV!, saying, “Their dedication played a crucial role in making this day a huge success.”

The collaboration between Curtin Malaysia students and POKUFM exemplifies the powerful role that community engagement and media can play in making a difference. By not only offering a day of fun but also contributing to the digital empowerment of POKUFM, the event underscored Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to ethical media practices and social responsibility.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Group photo of Dr. Marcelo Schellini, Dr. Dhanashree Giri Amatya, Curtin Media and Communications students, Curtin Volunteers, and POKUFM members with their families

POKUFM members participating in various Fun Day activities, including aerobics, games, storytelling, and a lucky draw session