Twenty public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) in Malaysia, under the Council of Malaysian University Volunteerism (MASKUM) and in collaboration with Yayasan Perkasa Siswa (YPS), are carrying out the Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Mission (HARD) in Southern Thailand from 8 to 11 August, 2024.

The program, led by the Chairman of MASKUM and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Prof Dr. Norkhalid Salimin, is also supported by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPM) and is being held in Kampung Charang, Yaring, Pattani.

Among the main activities conducted during the program are community services where volunteers install solar lights in community halls and mosques, construct bore wells, and provide English language classes to tahfiz students.

Attendees included the Governor of Pattani, Pateemoh Sadeeyamu; the Director of Student Affairs of the Ministry of Higher Education, Hirman Awang; and the Chief Assistant Director of E2 Bukit Aman, Deputy Commissioner Zainuddin Ahmad.

Dr. Norkhalid stated that this program is an international-level social service activity involving approximately 115 students and officers from 20 Malaysian IPTAs.

Participants also took part in knowledge transfer programs, including candle-making from used oil, the production of gula Melaka (palm sugar), batik canting (a wax-resist dyeing technique), health checks, donations of the Quran, and a community feast.

Solar lights were installed at Attarbiyatul Islamiah Kaisar Albarakah Pondok Institute and the mosque in Kampung Charang, Yaring. Painting activities were also held at the mosque.

Additionally, residents, particularly students, had the opportunity to participate in a free haircut program held at the Nong Raet, Yaring Community Hall.

Meanwhile, the Faculty of Human Sciences at UPSI (V-FSK4U), in collaboration with Apa Khabar TV, has been collecting donations for disaster victims in Southern Thailand since last May.

The donations were handed over to a representative from the FSK Student Representative Council (MPP), who will also participate in the MASKUM program. The donations were presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences, Associate Professor Ts Dr. Nor Kalsum Mohd Isa.

It is hoped that these contributions will benefit the residents of Southern Thailand, and a heartfelt thank you goes to the UPSI community for their generous donations.

The universities involved include Universiti Malaya; UPSI; Universiti Malaysia Kelantan; International Islamic University Malaysia; National Defence University of Malaysia; Universiti Malaysia Perlis; Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka; Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin; Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah; Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia; Universiti Putra Malaysia; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Universiti Utara Malaysia; University Malaysia Sabah; and Universiti Sains Malaysia.

The donations included the Quran, prayer garments, men’s sarongs, skullcaps, prayer mats, and T-shirts.