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TITIAN BUDI 'Belia Pemangkin Perubahan'
10 - 17 March 2007
In its quest to produce well-rounded graduates to become future leaders, the university strongly encourages its students to be mindful of the needs of the general public and the surrounding community.
In line with this mission, the Students Representative Council of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Student Support Services Department and Jawatankuasa Kemajuan & Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) Kuala Kedah had jointly organised the university's annual community programme known as Titian Budi which was held in Kuala Kedah, Kedah Darul Aman from 10 - 17 March 2007. With the theme 'Belia Pemangkin Perubahan', 80 UTP students along with members of the local community took active participation in this programme. This community project was the fifth to be organised by the university.
Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Setia Diraja, Dato' Seri Utama, Dato' Seri Haji Syed Razak b. Syed Zain, ADUN Kubang Rotan officiated the programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Pantai. 40 local families participated in this programme where on average each family 'adopted' two students for a period of eight days. In turn, each family received some contributions and donations in the form of cash money and groceries.
Various activities were organised during the eight-day programme including Career Exhibition, Health Screening Test, Blood Donation Campaign, colouring, flower arrangement and watermelon carving contest. On 14 March 2007, a motivational talk was given by a representative from the State Education Department. There were also visits by school children to Pusat Giat MARA, Institut Kemahiran MARA and Pusat Harian Sinar Harapan which caters for Down Syndrom children.
A 'gotong-royong' activity in the village area was also organised with the assistance of Majlis Bandaraya Alor Setar. At night, the UTP students organised tuition classes called 'Program TEKAD' for secondary and primary schools from the surrounding area. These classes were held from 8.00 to 10.30 pm every night for 4 consecutive nights from the 11 to the 15 of March. During these sessions, the school children were exposed to several study techniques such as getting a better understanding of exam questions and tips on how to excel in their studies. These schools were also supplied with exercise books and textbooks donated by several generous contributors.
The students had also organised an explorerace-like activity called 'Explore Jerai', which challenged the physical and mental endurance of the participants.
The grand finale of this community project was 'Malam Penghargaan' (Appreciation Night) where UTP students and the villagers gathered for a public BBQ dinner while being entertained by local cultural performances performed by the students.
On the final day, the official closing ceremony was held in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Pantai in the presence of Yang Berhormat Dato' Hashim bin Jahaya, Member of Parliament Kuala Kedah.
