OVER 300 diploma and degree students at INTI International College Penang recently chipped in for a good cause.
Together, they organised the H2O 4U Carnival, with the proceeds from the event worth RM11,000 going towards the provision of water pumps or wells in countries such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar and Nepal, through a collaboration with humanitarian aid agency Global Ehsan Relief Malaysia.
According to carnival project manager Zakiah Abul Khassim, the project was a social responsibility initiative supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 6, which is the provision of clean water and sanitation for all.
“The carnival was unique because we combined several General Studies subjects, or Mata Pelajaran Umum (MPU), such as Community Service, Co-Curriculum, Ethnic Relations, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to get students to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and raise funds,” she said in a press release.
She added that through the event, the students had the opportunity to apply their knowledge of marketing, mass communication, finance, computing, and business to create an impact and be exposed to projects of a bigger scale.
Officiating the carnival was Penang Island City Council Corporate and Community Management Department director Muhammad Muashraf Mohamed, who said programmes such as this would develop great future leaders.
“Teamwork and the right strategy will definitely yield the desired results,” he said in his opening speech.
INTI International College Penang chief executive Hemalatha Murugiah commended the students for demonstrating global consciousness and social responsibility.
“I am proud of each and every one of you for the great effort in raising funds that will give other people the chance to enjoy clean water. This is indeed a noble cause.
“Let us also be grateful for our blessings. We may sometimes forget that having access to clean water is a luxury that not everyone has. Thank you for helping to make a difference in the lives of others, regardless of religion or race,” she said.
The carnival on June 13 saw students setting up booths where they sold food and various items, while also offering fun games and activities for attendees to learn more about the water crisis and the importance of sustainable solutions.
Bachelor of Mass Communication student Bryan Soo Mao Sheong, who worked on the event’s marketing and promotion, said such activities can help instil a sense of responsibility in youths.
“This was my first experience in fundraising. The event was a good platform to spread the message that water is a valuable resource that should be used wisely,” he said.
Bachelor of Event Management and Marketing student Shveta Akshay Tamilvanan said by engaging in CSR activities, students learn about social responsibility, empathy and leadership.
“Participating in such activities fosters a deeper understanding of societal issues, encourages teamwork and fosters the spirit of giving back. “Being a part of this had given me practical experience in organising events, especially involving VIPs and the public. There were many soft skills gained which will be useful in the future,” said the student who oversaw the booth layout, floor plan and podium setup.
Another student Lim Kwan Ziv, who set up a booth selling mocktails, is proud to be a part of the initiative.
“It’s good to be part of something that will give back to the community and provide clean water to the underprivileged,” he said.
