By Dr Vimala Govindaraju, Elida Anak Bangka & Gillian Ethel Chong
Kota Samarahan, 28 May: On 21 May 2025, students from University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) enrolled in the MPU3452 Leadership Communication course successfully organized a leadership programme themed “Level Up: Lead & Unite.” This programme aimed to nurture a new generation of young leaders who are confident and capable of leading effectively through a range of well-planned activities. The initiative is also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 – Quality Education, which emphasizes inclusive, equitable, and quality lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The main objectives of the programme were to develop and strengthen leadership skills, enhance teamwork, and instill civic values among students from diverse backgrounds. In addition, the programme also focused on cultivating inclusive and ethical leadership, in line with the achievement of SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by promoting leadership that is fair, accountable, and responsible.
A total of 38 UNIMAS students from the MPU3452 Leadership Communication course, 84 student prefects, and 8 accompanying teachers from SK Dato Mohd Musa participated in the programme. It was held at the Sadong Jaya Hall, Institute of Teacher Education Tun Abdul Razak Campus (IPGTAR), Kota Samarahan.
Nurturing Potential from an Early Age
Two main activities were conducted during the programme to test and develop participants’ skills through practical experience. The first activity was the Ping Pong Cup challenge. In this activity, participants were tasked with getting a ping pong ball into a plastic cup using only sheets of A4 paper—without letting the ball touch the ground. This activity tested creative thinking, teamwork, and communication among group members.
The second activity was Build the Tallest Tower, which encouraged creativity and strategic planning as participants were required to build the tallest tower possible using only paper and newspapers provided. It tested collective problem-solving skills and promoted tolerance in decision-making.
Both activities not only fostered a strong spirit of teamwork among the participants but also strengthened mutual understanding and appreciation of diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives. Indirectly, this contributed to the development of a harmonious and inclusive organizational culture, while also nurturing young leaders who are confident, compassionate, and responsible toward their communities.
Level Up: Lead & Unite UNIMAS
This programme successfully provided students with real-life exposure to community engagement and collaborative social capacity-building. University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) through Centre for Student Development (PPP) deserves high commendation for its comprehensive support of students’ character development, leadership growth, and soft skills. The support extended beyond academic guidance to include experiential learning through field-based programmes like this one, which directly benefit the local community.
The commitment shown by the lecturer especially Dr. Vimala a/p Govindaraju and the team of facilitators from UNIMAS clearly reflects the university’s dedication to producing graduates who are competitive, ethical, and community-oriented, with a strong focus on sustainable development. The active participation of students in this programme also reflects the effectiveness of UNIMAS’ educational approach, which emphasizes a balance between academic excellence and social consciousness.