KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) recently held a simple cheque presentation ceremony at the campus where the university donated RM30,065 to Breakthrough Network Centre Bhd.
The donation is for Breakthrough to construct a single-storey house at Stutong Baru and is also part of the university’s Social Innovation Project unit where 137 students from various programmes were required to collaborate with Breakthrough on a community project involving the Stutong Baru Resettlement Scheme.
Apart from that, students were also involved in the community needs assessment for a proposed youth centre and installation of additional facilities for a public children playground.
Throughout the period of the project, students were expected to research on the history and issues relevant to the Scheme, as well as study the methodology of a systematic Community Needs Assessment. They had to work in consultation with academic supervisors and Breakthrough volunteers, and ultimately, submit a final report detailing the findings and recommendations to address the education needs of children in the community.
The Social Innovation Project was introduced in 2014 and has allowed students of the university to engage in projects with Habitat for Humanity Malaysia (2014 – 2015), Wishesland (2016), and Sarawak Cheshire Home and Breakthrough Network Centre Bhd. (2017). This is the second time that Swinburne Sarawak is collaborating with Breakthrough.
The unit serves to provide students the opportunity to work with a not-for-profit organisation on projects that benefit the community. Students get to gain fuller understanding of the operations, management and leadership required within social enterprises through professional talks and field work. Applying their knowledge to real world challenges, students are able to build their capacity to pursue a career in entrepreneurial practice or as an innovative member of a social enterprise.
Addressing the crowd at the presentation ceremony, Swinburne Sarawak’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor John Wilson remarked the Social Innovation Project unit aligns with Swinburne’s mission in providing high quality and engaged teaching and research that will make a difference in the lives of individuals, as well as contribute to national economic and social objectives.
“I would like to thank our teaching team Dr Ngui Kwang Sing, Dr Voon Mung Ling, Dr Heidi Collins and Professor Lee Miin Huui; Breakthrough volunteers Mr Lau Yeo Koo, Mr Simon Kong Yung, Ms Jacqueline Florence Lawan and Ms Michelle Ooi Giok Liau; and the students for their dedication, support and tireless enthusiasm in making this project a success,” said Professor Wilson.
Established in 2008, Breakthrough is a non-profit organisation that provides welfare support to persons with limited means and resources. Its key areas of service are home building for the needy, youth centre, family care and education.
For more information about Swinburne Sarawak, visit the university’s website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).