APU’s Foundation Students Spark Joy Through Community Outreach 

The School of Foundation Studies (SoF) at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) recently conducted its fourth community outreach session—this time welcoming a fresh batch of enthusiastic student volunteers. 

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Held on 26 May 2025, the initiative was organised in collaboration with the Suriana Welfare Society and took place at PPR Taman Desaria, Petaling Jaya Selatan. (Learn more about the society at: https://www.suriana.org/ppr-taman-desaria). 

Led by Ms Iman Danish, Lecturer of SoF, the activity saw 20 Foundation Programme students engaging local children in a fun-filled, educational session themed around geometric shapes. 

Turning Maths Into Magic

The day’s objective was simple yet powerful: to make mathematics enjoyable and interactive. Through engaging, hands-on learning, the children explored circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles in a way that brought abstract ideas to life. 

Rather than learning through textbooks, the children learned by doing—touching, building, and experimenting with shapes. The volunteers, acting as facilitators and friends, helped the young participants gain confidence and spark curiosity. 

First-Timers, Lasting Impact

For many volunteers, this was their first-ever experience engaging with children in a community setting. It proved to be transformative. 

Several students shared how the session honed not only their communication skills but also nurtured qualities like patience, empathy, and adaptability. The joy of connecting through education made the day especially meaningful. 

Student Voices: Moments That Mattered

Nur Sabrina Kamalhisham, a Diploma in Design and Media student, described the experience as both eye-opening and deeply fulfilling. 

“Seeing a child’s face light up when they finally understood something was truly inspiring,” she reflected. “I plan to continue participating in this project. It’s a great opportunity to build character and resilience.” 

Likewise, Dharmeka Soni Jitendrakumar Muktilal Soni, from the Foundation in Computing and Technology programme, noted how the experience helped her grow: 

“My biggest takeaway was improving my communication with children. I wanted them to feel safe and understood. It taught me to really see things from their perspective.” 

Creativity in Action

A standout moment came during the art challenge that followed the geometry lesson. Children were asked to create artwork using only geometric shapes—and their imaginations ran wild. 

From colourful houses made of rectangles and triangles to inventive animals built from circles and ovals, the children demonstrated not just their understanding but their creativity. It was a proud moment for both participants and volunteers. 

Strengthening Community Bonds

This session reinforced SoF’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and experiential learning, encouraging students to take their knowledge beyond the classroom and into the real world. 

It also celebrated the fruitful partnership between APU and the Suriana Welfare Society, a collaboration rooted in a shared vision of uplifting underserved communities through the power of education and connection. 

Looking Ahead 

As this new group of student volunteers returns to campus, they do so with a fresh perspective, stronger interpersonal skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Initiatives like these highlight the true value of education—not just in academic achievement, but in building compassion, confidence, and community.