In a meaningful collaboration that bridges education with community service, students from Universiti Malaya (UM) recently organized a program titled “Teaching Trip to Pure Life Society”, aimed at empowering children with essential knowledge on cyber safety, digital rights, and emotional intelligence.
Held at Pure Life Society, a well-known multiracial and multireligious welfare home in Puchong, this initiative marked the first joint effort between two academic courses: PIX2008 (Education and Society) under the Faculty of Education and LIA1007 (Law and Society) from the Faculty of Law. The program is part of the Service Learning Malaysia (SULAM) initiative, which emphasizes experiential learning through social engagement.
The day-long event brought together 30 children aged between 8 and 17 years, many of whom are orphans or from underprivileged backgrounds. The children were thoughtfully divided into primary and secondary age groups to ensure a tailored approach to learning. Each session was designed to be both educational and engaging, blending legal literacy with emotional development.
Activities included an ice-breaking session, a mini-lecture on cyber law, interactive Kahoot quizzes, role-playing exercises focused on online safety, and an emotional expression workshop aimed at helping children better understand and articulate their feelings. Participants also received goodie bags, notebooks, and certificates of participation in appreciation of their involvement.
The program was made possible by the direct involvement of 24 university students and lecturers from both faculties. According to Dr. Zalina Binti Abdul Halim, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law and program coordinator, the initiative was a two-way learning process. “This program is not only about serving the community, but also about deepening students’ understanding of real-world issues. It gives them the chance to apply classroom knowledge, particularly in areas such as cyber law and community education, in a meaningful way,” she explained.
The choice of Pure Life Society as the venue added depth to the experience. Established in 1949, the society has long been a beacon of hope for children in need, providing a nurturing environment regardless of race or religion. Its legacy of inclusivity aligned seamlessly with the program’s values.
Looking ahead, the organizers expressed hope that the Teaching Trip to Pure Life Society would serve as a model for future outreach efforts. There are plans to expand the initiative to more community centers and enhance the educational modules to include more practical, hands-on skills for navigating the digital world.
The program is a testament to how collaborative, student-led efforts can foster social responsibility while building bridges between academia and the community. With the right support, such programs could be instrumental in cultivating a generation of youth that is not only digitally literate but also emotionally resilient and socially aware.