The Soap Project CSR Engagement Day, organised with Yayasan Health on World (YHOW), helped Ar-Riqab community members learn entrepreneurial and recycled packaging soap-making skills and included art therapy, branding activities, and a logo competition won by APU student Dana Oakkar La (Foundation Student), promoting creativity, sustainability, and community empowerment in line with key SDGs.

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On 25 October 2025, around ten students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) took part in the Soap Project CSR Engagement Day, a meaningful collaboration between APU’s School of Business (SOB) and Yayasan Health on World (YHOW).

The event brought together enthusiastic volunteers from SoB, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), sponsors, and community partners for a day centred on creativity, collaboration, and compassion.

Coordinated by Sustainable Future Fusion (SFF) and led by Ms Cynthia Mala Paul Dorairaj, the programme introduced participants to entrepreneurial skills through a hands-on social enterprise learning experience.

The initiative focused on teaching entrepreneurship to members of Persatuan Kebajikan Ar-Riqab Kuala Lumpur, a community organisation supporting single mothers, children, youth, the elderly, ex-convicts, former drug users, and transgender individuals in the Chow Kit area. 

By equipping marginalised individuals with practical business knowledge and creative skills, the project aimed to build confidence, encourage self-reliance, and promote financial sustainability.

Through soap-making, branding, and marketing activities, participants and students worked side by side to explore innovation and self-employment opportunities.

The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, reinforcing the importance of empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable livelihoods.

The day began with registration and a warm networking breakfast, creating an inviting and inclusive environment. This was followed by an Art Therapy Workshop led by volunteers from YSD and APU, encouraging creativity, mindfulness, and emotional expression.

Representatives from YHOW and Ar-Riqab then delivered welcoming remarks, emphasising the importance of collective action and community partnerships in creating meaningful social impact. 

A key highlight was “The CSR Mission” address by the event sponsor, outlining a shared commitment to sustainability and empowerment through long-term skill-based initiatives.

The official launch of the Soap Project marked an important milestone, celebrating its focus on recycled soap-making as both an environmental and income-generating initiative. 

Participants learned how discarded soap can be transformed into high-quality, marketable products — a practical example of turning waste into opportunity and supporting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Adding a spark of creativity, twenty APU students took part in a logo and tagline competition to create the official label for the Soap Project. The winning design, created by Dana Oakkar La (Foundation student) beautifully captured themes of hope, renewal, and empowerment.

The programme continued with an Ideating CSR session where participants brainstormed innovative, sustainable community projects, shifting the mindset from one-off donations to long-term empowerment. 

A sharing session then allowed volunteers and community members to exchange reflections and discuss the social impact achieved.

The event concluded with a networking lunch, providing a warm setting for participants, sponsors, and volunteers to strengthen relationships and explore future collaborations.

Overall, the Soap Project CSR Engagement Day successfully blended creativity, compassion, and community impact, showcasing how education and corporate support can empower lives through entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social inclusion. 

The initiative not only marked a new beginning for Ar-Riqab’s members but also demonstrated the transformative potential of student-led community engagement.

“It was a great opportunity for us to showcase our design skills and give back to the community. I felt so much positive energy throughout the day, which really encouraged teamwork and collaboration. 

“The experience gave me a new perspective and a sense of belonging thanks to the wonderful hospitality,” said Hein Zay Yan, Foundation in IT student.

His classmate, Khant Thurain Phyo, also from Foundation in IT, highlighted the power of teamwork and said the event truly shifted his perspective. 

“The hospitality was incredible, and the whole experience — from start to finish — was fantastic,” he said.