The Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub Library (PETARY), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), hosted the Grand Closing Ceremony of the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development (FCSHD) Service Learning Malaysia (SULAM) project on 22 December 2025, marking the successful completion of a semester-long community engagement initiative carried out in collaboration with the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS).
For the 2025 implementation, the project was expanded beyond a single site and implemented across five community libraries in the Samarahan area: Perpustakaan Desa Sebandi Matang, Perpustakaan Desa Niup, Perpustakaan Desa Moyan Laut, Perpustakaan Desa Kampung Baru, and Perpustakaan Awam Samarahan. Guided by the theme “Memperkasa Budaya Ilmu, Kreativiti dan Kemahiran Digital”, the initiative aimed to strengthen community awareness of the role of libraries not only as centres for knowledge acquisition, but also as inclusive spaces for community interaction and development.
These objectives were realised through the implementation of 11 programmes focusing on knowledge transfer between librarians and communities, as well as community-based learning activities. Collectively, these efforts contributed to the more effective utilisation of library spaces as platforms for lifelong learning and social engagement.
The closing ceremony was officiated by the Dean of FCSHD, Dr Hana Binti Hamidi, and the Chairman of MPKS, Councillor Haji Abang Ismawi bin Abang Ali, reflecting the strong institutional partnership between UNIMAS and the local authority. The event was also attended by the Director of PETARY, Madam Levas Anak Mejus, who shared insights on current initiatives undertaken by the university library and highlighted the evolving role of libraries in contemporary society. She emphasised that modern libraries function not merely as repositories of books, but as dynamic centres that support the development of a knowledgeable, creative, and digitally literate society.
In her address, Dr Hana Binti Hamidi congratulated the faculty members and students for their commitment in delivering a project that fulfilled academic objectives while generating meaningful impact for the local communities in Samarahan. Councillor Haji Abang Ismawi bin Abang Ali likewise expressed MPKS’s appreciation for the collaboration and commended the students’ dedication, while also expressing hope that the partnership would continue and expand in the future to benefit more communities, including rural libraries.
The ceremony also acknowledged the important contributions of library attendants who supported the implementation of activities at the community level. Certificates of appreciation were presented to Norhasimah Binti Saberi, Dayang Rajuna Binti Awang Hazmi, Siti Norfadila Binti Yusup, Francis Allanwood Anak Ramba, Vanessa Cristine Brand, and Noraini Binti Md Sufri.
This collaboration between FCSHD and MPKS reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community development through education and knowledge-based initiatives. It is hoped that similar partnerships will continue to support the long-term growth and transformation of local communities.
Contributed by Christopher Ajang Luhat/Group Helpful Culture (JK Photo & Visibility)