Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)

Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre

In an era where Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) define future careers and innovations, empowering young minds to see their place within these fields has become more critical than ever. Recognizing this, a dedicated team from the Pusat Asasi Sains Universiti Malaya (PASUM) embarked on an inspiring community engagement project under UMCares, titled "PASUM-KTE-VOKASIONAL: Eksplorasi Pendidikan Tinggi Sains & Teknologi di IPT".

Inspiring the Next Generation of Thinkers and Innovators
Targeting students from Form Six Colleges and Vocational Institutions, the initiative was designed with a dual purpose: to provide early exposure to tertiary science and technology education, and to nurture a genuine interest in STEM fields. Through immersive campus visits and interactive STEAM-based activities, over a hundred students from Kolej Tingkatan Enam Petaling Jaya, Kolej Tingkatan Enam Shah Alam, and Kolej Vokasional Sungai Buloh discovered the academic and professional possibilities that await them in public universities like Universiti Malaya.

A Journey of Discovery and Expression
Participants were guided through key facilities such as the Faculty of Engineering, Rimba Ilmu Botanical Gardens, Art Gallery UM, and the Pathology Museum, experiencing firsthand the vibrancy and interdisciplinary nature of university life. These visits weren’t just about seeing — they were about doing and creating.

In one of the project’s most innovative approaches, students engaged in STEM-themed painting activities, where they explored scientific concepts through visual arts. This STEAM integration allowed students to express their understanding creatively, culminating in exhibitions at the University of Malaya Art Gallery. These artworks became more than just projects — they were statements of understanding, inspiration, and potential.

Teachers as Catalysts for Change
Recognizing the influential role of teachers, the project also emphasized updating educators with the latest science and mathematics programmes offered at the university level. This ensures that the impact of the project is not only immediate but extends into classrooms where future guidance and academic counseling take place.

Measuring Impact Through Voices and Visions
The feedback was resounding: students reported newfound motivation to pursue higher education in STEM-related fields, while teachers expressed appreciation for the timely exposure. These outcomes were evident not just in surveys, but in students' active participation in oral presentations, their confident articulation of STEM themes, and their pride in seeing their artworks on display at a university gallery.

A Model for Sustainable Engagement
One of the most significant outcomes of this project is the proposed Student Campus Visit Module, now under review by UMCares. This module aims to formalize and replicate the success of this program, extending its reach to more pre-university institutions across Malaysia. Furthermore, the initiative has resulted in academic outputs, including publications in the Best Practices in STEM Mentor Mentee book series by the Universiti Malaya STEM Centre. These writings contribute not only to institutional knowledge but also to the national conversation on effective STEM outreach strategies.

Towards a Future of Empowered Learners
“PASUM-KTE-VOKASIONAL” has proven to be more than a university-community outreach; it is a blueprint for how higher education institutions can shape aspirations, unlock potential, and transform lives. As Universiti Malaya continues to champion inclusive and impactful education, initiatives like these reaffirm the university’s commitment to nurturing talent across all levels of society — starting with a single visit, a brushstroke, or a question that sparks a lifelong journey.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Execution: 18 Months

Location: Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Sungai Buloh

Target Community: Form 6 and vocational students

Number of Community benifited: 120 students

Parliaments:
P105 Petaling Jaya,
P108 Shah Alam
P107 Sungai Buloh

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Outcome of the Project

Students showed a growing interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), particularly through the integration of art (STEAM) via science-themed painting activities.
Oral presentations by the students reflected improved understanding and confidence in discussing STEM-related topics.
Visits to the Universiti Malaya campus gave Form Six and vocational students real-life exposure to faculties, laboratories, museums, and the university art gallery, making them more aware and motivated to pursue tertiary education.
Teachers accompanying the students received updated information on university STEM programmes, enabling them to provide more accurate academic and career guidance to their students.
A structured Campus Visit Module was drafted and proposed to UMCares for replication, ensuring the project’s methodology can benefit other schools and institutions in the future.
Students’ artworks were exhibited at the University of Malaya Art Gallery, serving as both educational tools and creative expressions of their understanding of STEM concepts.
Through teamwork, research, art creation, presentations, and Q&A sessions, students developed essential soft skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.
The project resulted in chapters in the book Best Practices in STEM Mentor Mentee, published by the Universiti Malaya STEM Centre—adding academic value and documenting effective community engagement practices.

Impact of the Project

The project inspired and empowered Form Six and vocational students to consider higher education in science and technology, many for the first time.
By integrating hands-on exposure (campus visits, STEM labs, and art-based STEM activities), students developed a clearer, more personal connection to the STEM disciplines.
ost-program feedback and student presentations revealed a noticeable shift in aspirations, particularly among underrepresented groups in STEM.
The use of STEM-themed painting provided a creative and emotional entry point for students to express their understanding of scientific concepts.
This method proved especially effective for students with varying academic strengths, bridging the gap between theory and application.
Teachers gained updated knowledge on university-level STEM courses and admission pathways, improving their ability to advise students effectively.
The project promoted stronger teacher-university engagement, fostering future collaborations beyond this initiative.
The project positioned Universiti Malaya as a community-oriented institution, welcoming schools into its academic and cultural ecosystem.
It established sustainable outreach practices, encouraging long-term university-community partnerships.
The initiative led to academic publications, participation in national STEM seminars, and public exhibitions of student work, increasing the visibility of UM's community engagement efforts.
The project serves as a replicable model for other outreach programmes at the national level.
By integrating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics), the project introduced a novel pedagogical approach that is both inclusive and culturally adaptive to Malaysian students.
This blend of science and creativity enriched the learning experience and promoted cross-disciplinary appreciation.

UM’s STEM & STEAM Program Inspires Malaysian Pre-U and Vocational Students