A group of 30 students and lecturers from INTI International College Penang (IICP), along with employees from G Hotel, transformed Tabika Perpaduan Bukit Gelugor into a space of colour and creativity through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project held on 9 August 2025.
What had once been plain walls are now vibrant murals celebrating Malaysia’s cultural heritage. The transformation created not only a joyful environment for children but also stronger ties between IICP, G Hotel and the local community.
Students, lecturers and G Hotel staff working side by side to paint vibrant murals at Tabika Perpaduan Bukit Gelugor.
Explaining the motivation behind the initiative, Ang Wei Zhi, Lecturer at IICP’s School of Business (SOBIZ), said: “We wanted to go beyond traditional donations and create something lasting that directly enhances the children’s daily environment. The murals showcase Malaysia’s diversity while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals — SDG 3, 4 and 11.”
The children’s reactions showed how quickly the project made a difference. “One of the children came up to me and said, ‘Kak, cantik dinding sekarang.’ That simple, genuine comment made all the hard work worthwhile,” recalled Dr Beatrice Wong Chui Fei from IICP’s Centre of English and Pre-University Studies (CEPS), who designed and coordinated the mural.
Teachers noticed the change, too. “I was amazed by how beautiful and lively the murals turned out,” said teacher Low Ai Ling. “Parents told us their children were excited to come to school and talk about the colourful walls. It has created a more cheerful and stimulating environment for learning.”
The students who volunteered also carried away lasting lessons. Cambridge A-Level student Andrea Tham Zea Faye shared: “The most memorable moment was seeing students, lecturers, G Hotel staff and teachers all working together in such a lively atmosphere. It truly felt like a real community.”
The completed murals, inspired by Malaysia’s cultural heritage, now brighten the kindergarten and spark children’s excitement for learning.
Others reflected on what the experience taught them. “Painting side by side with everyone under the scorching sun showed me how empathy and teamwork can unite people to create something meaningful for the children,” said SOBIZ student Lim Yin Shan.
For many, mural painting was a first-time challenge. “It’s much harder than it looks,” admitted Cambridge A-Level student Fong Ruan Ying. “But watching a group of 30 people work together to fill the walls with colour reminded me of the power of unity.”
Some of the most meaningful moments came when the children joined in. “While touching up the murals, a little boy told me, ‘Our school is going to be so beautiful after this,’ before asking to help. Handing him a brush and seeing his excitement was unforgettable,” said SOBIZ student Lim Yong Jie.
For IICP, the project reflected the college’s broader mission. “This project reflects the essence of education with impact, where learning goes beyond the classroom to create real change,” said Hemalatha Murugiah, Chief Executive of IICP. “By collaborating with G Hotel and the local community, our students not only applied their creativity and teamwork but also learned the value of giving back.”
Volunteers from INTI and G Hotel brought colour and creativity to the kindergarten, turning plain walls into a lively learning environment.
G Hotel echoed the same pride. “Our collaboration with INTI is built on a strong foundation through our existing MOU, and this mural project was a natural extension of that partnership,” said Thomas Ch’ng, Human Resources Director of G Hotel. “Seeing our employees work hand-in-hand with INTI students and lecturers to bring colour and joy to the kindergarten was deeply inspiring and rewarding.”