Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)

Immediate Impact & Key Metrics

MyRA Rating

★★★ ★★

Community Engagement Quality

Project Information
Project Leader: Professor Dr. Sajaratulnisah Othman
Duration: 12 Months (2018-2019)
Location: University of Malaya (First and Eighth Residential Colleges)
Total Participants: 496 Campus Students

88%

Knew how to respond if a friend was being hurt by their partner.

90%

Awareness of institutional resources available for support and help.

The Challenge & The Approach

The Problem

High vulnerability of young people to **unhealthy relationships**.
Local evidence shows campus students are exposed to **sexual abuse**.
Lack of formal curriculum or family discussion on **healthy relationship skills**.

The Solution (Interactive Workshop)

**Interactive Workshops:** Meaningful discussion led by trained facilitators (campus ambassadors).
**Video-Based Learning:** Short videos depicting relationship behaviors (in collaboration with **One Love Foundation**).
**Peer-to-Peer Model:** Training **41 Campus Ambassadors** to sustain the program and guide discussions.

Project Gallery: Intervention In Action

Campus Ambassadors receiving training on healthy relationships

Students participating in a group discussion workshop

Students discussing key concepts of healthy relationships

Project Phases & Timeline (Detailed Overview)

Phase 1: Needs Assessment & Buy-In ▼

Goal: Secure support and understand community needs.

Engaging with 'Gatekeepers' (DVC-Student Affairs, Student Health Clinic, Residential Colleges).
Capturing student 'voices' via Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with 16 students.
Initial Policy analysis revealed no specific university policy to safeguard students/staff on close relationship issues.

Phase 2: Preparation, Partnership & Training ▼

Goal: Develop materials and train peer facilitators.

Partnership secured with the One Love Foundation (USA) for intervention content (reading materials and 'Escalation' video).
Training for 41 Campus Ambassadors via interactive webinar.
Validation of the 'Attitude towards dating violence' questionnaire (Price 1999) for local use.

Phase 3: Intervention & Evaluation ▼

Goal: Implement workshops and measure impact.

Execution of two #itubukancinta workshops engaging 80 students (watching videos + group discussions).
Baseline (T0) and 3-week post-training (T1) assessments conducted online for 365 students.
Compilation of resources for support for campus community in terms of close relationship issues.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The project addresses mental health by preventing negative impacts of unhealthy relationships (violence, depression, suicidal ideation) and providing support resources.

#itubukancinta: Instilling Healthy Relationships to Combat Dating Violence