August 8, 2024 | UniMAP – Three representatives from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), along with 19 volunteer teams from other public universities, will depart for Southern Thailand for the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Mission – Southern Thailand, which will take place from August 8 to 11, 2024. This mission is organized by the Department of Higher Education (JPT) in collaboration with the Malaysian University Volunteer Council (MASKUM) and the Yayasan Perkasa Siswa (YPS).

The mission aims to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the affected communities in Southern Thailand. The mission incorporates a service-learning approach by applying the expertise based on the niche areas of all public universities (UA) in Malaysia to positively impact the lives of the local population in their post-disaster recovery.

The mission will focus on community service elements, including evacuation and the Knowledge Sharing and Transfer Program (KSTP). This approach ensures that the assistance provided not only addresses immediate needs but also supports ongoing development and long-term recovery for the affected communities.

Additionally, this mission aligns with the objectives of the Malaysia Higher Education Development Plan (Higher Education) 2015-2025, which aims to produce holistic, entrepreneurial, and well-balanced graduates. By involving students in international volunteer activities such as this, it helps them develop leadership skills, empathy, and the ability to address global challenges more effectively.

The Department of Higher Education (JPT), MASKUM, and YPS hope that this mission will bring significant benefits to the people of Southern Thailand and strengthen the collaboration among public universities in Malaysia in supporting global humanitarian missions.