Photos SE-Budi Hasanah team
LANGKAWI, 26 May 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has officially launched SE-Budi Hasanah: Community-Based Language Learning (CBLL), a flagship programme funded under the Hasanah Special Grant (HSG 5.0), with its inaugural session, Unboxing SE-Budi Hasanah, held on 23 and 24 May 2025.
This initiative brought together 12 selected UUM student-mentors and 240 students from SMK Langkawi, Pulau Tuba, in a meaningful experiential learning setting centred on community engagement and educational empowerment. This flagship initiative is supported by a RM361,000 grant from Yayasan Hasanah (a subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional) and is being implemented in collaboration with the Langkawi District Education Office (PPD Langkawi).
The UUM student-mentors were chosen through a competitive process that included interviews and micro-teaching assessments. They comprise high-performing undergraduates from the Bachelor of Applied Linguistics and Business Administration (BALBA) programme, as well as student leaders from the Penang Chapter Club and the School of International Studies (SoIS) club. These individuals were selected not only for their academic strengths but also for their leadership potential and community-driven spirit.
The Unboxing session marked the first face-to-face engagement between mentors and mentees and featured three key components: a diagnostic English language Pre-Test; Resilience First Reflective Activities exploring personal identity and strength; and a Student-Mentor Support & Monitoring segment designed to build rapport and trust. These elements align with the Community-Based Language Learning (CBLL) framework, which promotes language learning through social interaction and real-life application, enabling participants to co-construct knowledge in authentic settings.
Leading the research team is Ms. Fatin Athirah Fadzillah, and is supported by a team of academic mentors, namely Assoc. Prof. Dr Rafizah Rawian, Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohd Nizho Abdul Rahman, Dr Azman Md Zain, Mdm. Nurul Akmal Ab Halim, Ms. Henny Haryani Ismail, Prof. Dr Nurahimah Yusoff, Dr Muhammad Noor Abdul Azizi, Dr Saiful Azizi Ismail, Mr. Akmal Ahlami Md Rozai and Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohamad Khadafi Rofie. On-site coordination has been managed by Mdm. Roshita Che Ani and Mr. Zulkifli Bakar, who have played key roles in ensuring logistics and student engagement.
Ms. Fatin emphasised that SE-Budi Hasanah goes beyond English language enhancement. It is a leadership and identity-building programme that integrates values-based learning with practical experience. The name itself reflects this vision: ‘SE’ refers to Social Entrepreneurship, ‘Budi’ represents personal ethics and cultural values, and ‘Hasanah’ signifies long-lasting goodness that benefits others.
Running from May to December 2025, the programme includes 14 in-person sessions focused on language, reflective learning, pitching, and community-based projects. It is expected to benefit 250 students and contribute meaningfully to inclusive education and grassroots empowerment. – Akmal Ahlami Md Rozai
