A good cause

ABOUT 300 students from 15 universities and colleges around the nation participated in a community project at the first Malaysia College and University Student Assembly (Cusa), organised by the Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace Network, a youth leadership initiative of Universal Peace Federation Malaysia.

The students took part in various volunteer activities at four locations in the Klang Valley — Rumah Ozanam, the Selangor Children’s Spastic Association, Kampung Kerinchi, and the Old Town market in Petaling Jaya.

They carried out gotong-royong projects, including cleaning drains and walls, and raising funds to buy food for the less fortunate.

Universiti Utara Malaysia student Anditawati Diah Paramita was happy as the effort was for a good cause.

One of the volunteers 'SHakur Idris'

“I learnt to keep the environment clean and care for those in need,” said Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman student Boo Chui Huang, adding that he found the project meaningful.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya’s Kahirul Nizam said: “I learnt to be a more responsible and caring person. I’m proud to be part of the team, and to join with friends from other universities in this project.”

The project was launched by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron who commended the students on their leadership and initiative.

“It is through service like this that the best leadership traits are developed,” said Idris.

Cusa aims to provide a platform for varsity students to carry out community projects in the spirit of volunteerism. The participating universities included Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Tunku Abdul Rahman College and Lincoln College.

The volunteers also heard from veteran volunteers including Yayasan Salam Malaysia project executive Nal Azri Nawawi, and Universal Peace Federation Malaysia education director James Poon Hong Wai.

The event is organised in conjunction with the Global Peace Festival 2008 in Malaysia.