Written by Dr Nur Auni Ugong
In the evolving landscape of higher education, the emphasis on academic excellence is increasingly complemented by a broader commitment to student well-being, community integration, and holistic development. Universities today are not merely centres for intellectual pursuit but also vibrant ecosystems that nurture physical, emotional, and social wellness. Within this context, the Festival of Social Sciences and Humanities (FOSSH) 2025, spearheaded by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), marked a significant milestone in this direction with the hosting of the Fun Run: Water Colour Run on 19 April 2025 an event that transcended the boundaries of sport to become a celebration of unity, vitality, and shared human experience.
The Fun Run: Water Colour Run, organised by the Persatuan Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan (PSSK), was conceived as a multi-faceted initiative to promote health, inclusivity, and communal engagement. It brought together over 300 participants, including students, government agency representatives, and local community members. By creating a festive and non-competitive atmosphere, the event invited broad participation, regardless of athletic background, while reinforcing values of togetherness and shared joy.
The incorporation of colour into the run was more than aesthetic—it symbolised the diversity and creativity inherent in the social sciences and humanities. In alignment with the interdisciplinary values upheld by FSSH, the event demonstrated how physical activity could intersect meaningfully with cultural expression and social cohesion.
The event’s contributions to university life were tangible and far-reaching. It provided an inclusive and engaging space for students to connect outside of formal academic settings, encouraging balance between academic responsibilities and physical well-being. For first-year students, the run fostered a deeper sense of community and belonging within the campus environment.
Importantly, the event embodied the community-facing ethos of both FSSH and PSSK. With participation from external agencies and the surrounding local community, the run served as a bridge between the university and the public—a reflection of UNIMAS’s identity as an engaged, people-centred institution.
For the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, the event stood as a living expression of the values it teaches: inclusion, social participation, identity, and human connectivity. That this was brought to life by PSSK, a student-led association, speaks volumes about the leadership, creativity, and civic consciousness being cultivated among our students.
While the run may appear recreational, its health benefits were substantial. Physically, it offered a moderate-intensity cardiovascular workout suitable for a wide range of fitness levels. More significantly, it provided psychological uplift—participants frequently described the event as “energising,” “joyful,” and “stress-relieving.”
The cheerful environment, accentuated by colour, created an emotionally safe space where participants could relax and reenergise. Given the increasing importance of mental health support within higher education, initiatives like these complement formal counselling and wellness programmes in important ways. Such outcomes underscore the relevance of integrating recreational programming into the academic calendar, not only as social events but as strategic health interventions.
The Fun Run: Water Colour Run, held under the banner of FOSSH 2025 and organised by Persatuan Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan (PSSK), exemplifies the best of what university life can offer: healthful activity, meaningful interaction, and collective celebration. It reflected a shared commitment by students and faculty alike to create a vibrant and supportive campus culture.
Let us continue to run together, towards wellness, unity, and a more connected future.
FSSH – A partner for social change