More than 300 INTI International College Penang diploma and degree students taking Mata Pelajaran Umum (MPU) subjects organized the H2O 4U Carnival today which was attended by students, staff, and the public.
Proceeds from the event will go towards the provision of water pumps or wells in countries such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Nepal, through collaboration with humanitarian aid agency Global Ehsan Relief Malaysia.
According to H2O 4U Carnival project manager Zakiah Abul Khassim, the project is a social responsibility initiative supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 6, which is provision of clean water and sanitation to countries that do not have access to clean water.
(From left) Global Ehsan Relief Malaysia project manager Qurratu’ain Kamarul Zaman, INTI International College Penang academic director Tan Lee Ooi, INTI International College Penang chief executive Hemalatha Murugiah, Penang Island City Council’s Corporate and Community Management Department director Encik Muhammad Muashraf Mohamed, INTI International College Penang registrar Lay Kheng Kung and Global Ehsan Relief Malaysia assistant project manager Nur Farrah Shahidah Zainudin at the fundraising H2O 4U Carnival.
“The carnival is unique because we combined several MPU subjects such as Community Service, Co-Curriculum, Ethnic Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to get students to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and raise funds. They will put to practice their knowledge in marketing, mass communication, finance, computing, and business to create an impact and expose them to projects of a bigger scale,” she explained.
The carnival, which was officiated by Penang Island City Council’s Corporate and Community Management Department director Encik Muhammad Muashraf Mohamed, was attended by INTI International College Penang chief executive Hemalatha Murugiah, INTI International College Penang academic director Tan Lee Ooi, and Global Ehsan Relief Malaysia project manager and assistant project manager Qurratu’ain Kamarul Zaman and Nur Farrah Shahidah Zainudin.
Encik Muhammad Muashraf Mohamed praised INTI International College Penang and its students for organising the H2O 4U Carnival which aimed to raise funds to provide water pumps or wells to countries such as Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
In his opening speech, Encik Muhammad Muashraf said programmes such as this will develop great future leaders.
“Teamwork and the right strategy will definitely yield the desired results. I congratulate all future leaders who are working hard to collect funds to be channelled to Global Ehsan Relief Malaysia, which is on a mission to build water pumps and water wells for clean water in countries like Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and others,” he said.
Shveta Akshay (front row, second from left) said the opportunity to be part of the H2O 4U Carnival team provided her with a hands-on experience in organising a real event.
Meanwhile, in her speech, Hemalatha congratulated the students on a successful event and commended them for demonstrating global consciousness and social responsibility.
“I am proud of each and every one of you for the great effort in raising fund that will give other people the chance to enjoy clean water in their area. This is indeed a noble cause. Let us also be grateful for our blessings. We may sometimes forget that having access to clean water is a luxury that not everyone has. Thank you for helping to make a difference in the lives of others, regardless of religion and race,” she said.
Lim Kwan Ziv (back row, third from left) and Semester 6 Bachelor of Science in Computing students selling soft toys at the carnival.
The one-day carnival saw students display their entrepreneurial skills at various booths selling delicious food and other items while also offering fun games and activities for everyone to learn more about the water crisis and the importance of sustainable solutions.
Bryan Soo Mao Sheong, a student from the Bachelor of Mass Communication programme in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire, mentioned that students should take part in such activities because it can help instil a sense of responsibility among youths.
Bryan, who worked on the event’s marketing and promotion, added, “This is my first experience in fundraising. The event is a good platform to spread the message that water is a valuable resource that should be used wisely.”
Among the interesting activities at the carnival were henna decoration services by students.
Shveta Akshay A/P Tamilvanan, who is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Event Management and Marketing, said by engaging in CSR students learn about social responsibility, empathy, and leadership.
“Participating in such activities fosters a deeper understanding of societal issues, encourages teamwork and fosters the spirit of giving back. Being a part of this has given me practical experience in organizing events, especially that involving VIPs and the public. There are many soft skills gained which will surely be useful in the future,” said the final year semester student who oversaw the booth layout, floor plan and podium setup.
Lim Kwan Ziv, a Semester 6 student who set up a booth selling mocktails, is proud to be a part of such a humbling initiative.
“It’s good to be part of something that will give back to the community and provide clean water to the underprivileged,” he said.
Visitors at the carnival playing online games at one of the carnival’s booths.