Social Work Students Turn Classrooms into Communities Through Social Services Exhibition

Written by Joan Sim Jo Jo

Visitors were invited to type their own names in Braille.

The first year Social Work students of SSF1183: Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), successfully organised a student-led exhibition titled “A Day to Know Social Services in Sarawak”, showcasing the diverse landscape of social welfare services in the state.

The exhibition, conducted as the final project for the course, was jointly coordinated and supervised by Dr Faizah Bt Hj Mas’ud and Ms Joan Sim Jo Jo. The exhibition aimed to move learning beyond textbooks by encouraging students to engage directly with real-world social welfare practice.

A total of 19 booths, each representing a different social service agency in Sarawak, were presented during the exhibition. Rather than inviting agencies to campus, students independently reached out to their selected organisations, conducted interviews, and gathered insights about their services, target groups, and challenges. These interactions formed the foundation of the educational booths designed and managed entirely by the students.

Left: Students translated real agency work into accessible learning materials, helping visitors understand services for persons with intellectual disabilities. Right: Visitors were invited to slow down, reflect, and learn how support and empathy play a role in grief.

Having studied the agency’s work, students took the lead in sharing with the visitors on breast cancer awareness, early detection, and community education.

The exhibition featured a variety of interactive and creative elements, including quizzes, demonstrations, informational games, videos, and visual displays. Visitors were encouraged not only to learn about social services, but also to reflect on social issues and the values that guide social work practice.

The lecturers and students would like to express their sincere appreciation to all participating social service agencies across Sarawak for their willingness to engage with the students, share their experiences, and support this educational initiative. Their openness and cooperation played a crucial role in enriching students’ understanding of social welfare work and strengthening the connection between academic learning and community practice.

The lecturer, Ms Joan Sim Jo Jo, holding her name in Braille with the students, highlighting inclusion and collaborative learning.

Students with course lecturer Dr Faizah Bt Hj Mas’ud, reflecting collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning throughout the exhibition.

Throughout the exhibition, students demonstrated confidence, professionalism, and empathy as they explained the roles of agencies working with women, children, persons with disabilities, individuals experiencing grief and trauma, and other marginalised communities. The booths reflected strong teamwork, creativity, and a growing awareness of social work values such as dignity, empowerment, and advocacy.

Interactive booth with games and information prepared by the students

According to the course lecturers, the exhibition highlighted the effectiveness of experiential and community-oriented learning in nurturing socially responsible graduates. “A Day to Know Social Services in Sarawak” served as a reminder that social work education is not only about theory, but about people, relationships, and meaningful engagement with society.

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