Pictures by SE-Budi Hasanah Team
PULAU TUBA, 28 July 2025: The fifth edition of the SE-Budi Hasanah programme continues to exemplify the transformative power of integrating language learning, creativity, and values-based education. With increasing support from strategic partners, the programme is steadily expanding its impact and reach.
The series opened with a heartfelt Yassin recitation at Masjid Al-Wafa, bringing together local village children and community members. This serene gathering not only set a reflective tone but also underscored the importance of spiritual grounding in nurturing resilient, value-driven young minds.
On Friday morning, participants were introduced to the Design Thinking framework – Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, – as conceptualised by Brown (2009) in Change by Design and Liedtka (2015) in Why Design Thinking Works. The session encouraged students to engage deeply with their surroundings, build empathy, and develop practical, thoughtful solutions to real-life challenges.
The highlight of the session was a vibrant fashion show, where students confidently modelled outfits made from recycled materials, creatively styled around assigned themes. This imaginative activity not only ignited innovation but also honed problem-solving, teamwork, and English communication skills.
This series was strengthened by the involvement of five student-mentors from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), representing various schools namely BALBA from the School of Languages, Civilisation and Philosophy (SLCP); BPLB from the School of Law (SOL); School of Computing (SOC); and School of Business Management (SBM). Among them were the President, Vice President, and a Committee Member of the Penang Chapter Club, all of whom volunteered their time and energy to support the programme.
Programme Lead, Ms. Fatin Athirah Fadzillah, who also serves as the Social Entrepreneurship Coordinator at CEDI UUM, emphasised the relevance of the Design Thinking approach at this stage:
“Design Thinking teaches students to empathise and critically observe their surroundings before creating practical solutions. This mindset is essential as they prepare for their upcoming mini community projects, which centre on social entrepreneurship. We want them to realise that even small, well-thought-out actions can bring meaningful change to their communities.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mdm. Nurul Akmal Ab Halim, Chief Writer for the SE-Budi Hasanah Language Module, added:
“Recognising the SE Coordinator’s emphasis on Design Thinking, I focused on aligning reading comprehension texts, vocabulary lists, and other key elements of the language module with the proposed framework submitted to Yayasan Hasanah under the Hasanah Special Grant. This ensures that our students are not only thinking creatively but are also linguistically empowered to express their ideas effectively.”
In the afternoon, students watched “Paddington Goes to Peru”, using the film as a lens to explore the to the Islamic value of Al-Birr (kindness and righteousness), guided by the Quranic verse:
“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct (Al-Birr) and giving to relatives…” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90)
Facilitators reminded students that spiritual values are not confined to religious texts or overt symbols – Tauhid, they explained, can manifest through everyday acts of kindness, patience, and appreciation of beauty. Ultimately, it is the heart that determines whether these values are recognised and internalised.
The programme’s storytelling efforts were elevated through a new strategic collaboration with Unifilm. Two crew members, Mr. Syazani and Mr. Hafiz, were sent to document the sessions, capturing the essence and spirit of the initiative. Special thanks are extended to Ms. Bahiyah Md. Idris and the Unifilm team for their invaluable support in amplifying the programme’s outreach and impact.
Further enriching this series was the involvement of Mr. Iskandar Adon, Senior Lecturer from SLCP, who was invited to contribute his expertise in developing a Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework to more effectively assess and communicate the programme’s outcomes.
The series owes much of its smooth execution to the tireless dedication of staff members, Mdm. Roshita Che Ani and Mr. Zulkifli Bakar, whose behind-the-scenes coordination has been integral across all five instalments.
The day concluded with a casual yet meaningful bonding session, where student-mentors joined local youths for fishing and a barbecue. The informal setting also served as an informal space to refine language activities for the following day, blending fun with structured learning.
Series 5 once again reaffirms the belief that when education, creativity, and community values converge, students not only sharpen their language skills but also grow into kind, confident changemakers ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities. – Khairunnisa Hendry (BALBA SLCP Student)
