Unissa students to serve community

SULTAN Sharif Ali Islamic University (Unissa) students have embarked on a campaign to help the community through various co-curricular activities proposed under the university's "Kami Prihatin", a community service programme introduced this year.

Under the university requirement programme, students from all faculties were obliged to allocate 100 hours of their time to serve the community throughout their studies.

"I think coming from an Islamic university, it's good exposure in training the Islamic community to be more caring. It will help to open minds and see the bigger picture on what life is actually about," said Dewi Norlelawati Hj Abd Hamid, who was part of the "Hamba-hamba Ar-Rahman" involving Unissa's law students.

During a movie outing organised for children from the Child Development Centre (CDC) yesterday at the Empire Cinema, Dewi said that the university had not officially announced the programme, but students learned about it through an announcement posted on the notice board and students from all the faculties had already begun writing their proposals on the activities that they were planning to conduct.

"If we were not put into this matter, we would take life very lightly and we would be more selfish, so when we are being asked to do this we tend to put more Islamic attitudes into ourselves and be more selfless."

"I think Unissa is trying to promote Islamic akhlak (behaviour) among the youth because in today's modern society, this is getting eroded," said Dewi.

Despite being bogged down with their assignments, the group are committed in volunteering their time for people in need.

"Our programme is very packed, there's not much time available, so 100 hours for the whole four years is enough," she added.

Another student, Md Hasrul Aizan Hassan learned to be more humble as the activity teaches the students humility and promotes awareness on the community.

"I think it gives us the opportunity to hang out with other law students to relieve ourselves, and while doing it at least we are giving back to the society," he added.

The group comprising 21 law students in their first and second year had completed 25 hours of community service, starting with a cleaning campaign at a Kampung Lumapas mosque.

Students from other faculties are volunteering at Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam and Learning Ladders.

The group have also included proposal activities such as volunteering for NGOs like Sounds of Hope, assisting nurses at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (Ripas) Hospital and cleaning campaigns.

"I feel that as a Unissa student and as a Bruneian, we should have a social responsibility (towards the community) especially as a Muslim," said Md Hasrul.

The Director of CDC present to watch the movie with the children, said that community service programmes should be introduced in higher education institutions.

Dr Hjh Mawarni said: "Once they leave student life (and begin) work life they will be more sensitive and become more aware of people with disabilities."

The Brunei Times