Gerik, Perak – Demonstrating a strong commitment to social responsibility and community engagement, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) organized a two-day Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program on 9–10 May 2025  in Kampung Chiong, an Orang Asli village deep in the interior of Gerik. 

Spearheaded by the Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences (MJMHS), FPSK, the  initiative brought together enthusiastic lecturers and support staff to foster goodwill and share knowledge with the rural community.

One of the program highlights was a health and nutrition awareness session, delivered by Professor Dr. Norhasmah Sulaiman and Professor Dr. Loh Su Peng from the Department of Nutrition Department, FPSK. Using the simple yet effective "quarter-quarter half plate", they introduced the community to balanced eating practices. A coloring contest themed around healthy food also provided a fun and educational platform for children to express creativity.

The second day of the program was officially inaugurated by Professor Dr. Rukman Awang Hamat, Editor-in-Chief of the MJMHS. Various activities were carried out involving all age groups, including aerobics and cooking competitions, and traditional games such as tug-of-war and timang bola takraw.

Not to be missed, a gotong-royong session to paint the village multipurpose hall stood as a symbol of collaboration between UPM staff and local residents. The event concluded with a prize-given ceremony and communal lunch for all villagers.

A gotong-royong session to paint the village multipurpose hall stood as a symbol of collaboration between UPM participants and local residents. The event concluded with a prize-giving ceremony and communal lunch for all villagers.

This outreach effort provided FPSK members with invaluable firsthand experience of rural life, allowing them to share expertise while gaining deeper insights into the community's needs and potential. In particular, it provides opportunities to nurture the educational aspirations of Orang Asli children, especially in the fields such as agriculture, nutrition and public health.

More than an act of giving, this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program served as a meaningful process of mutual learning and empowerment, both for the community and for UPM’s academic fraternity.

Date of Input: 22/05/2025 | Updated: 26/05/2025 | nadia_rahman