Written by Assoc. Prof. Dr Dolly Paul Carlo
Distance is not a boundary when it comes to sharing knowledge, inspiration and meaningful community engagement. This was demonstrated through the Program Motivasi dan Inspirasi Murid Tingkatan Lima at SMK Temenggong Datuk Lawai Jau, Marudi, Baram, Sarawak. The programme was conducted online via Google Meet on 21 August 2026 by Assoc. Prof. Dr Dolly Paul Carlo from the Social Work Programme, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), as part of the Faculty’s University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative.
Carrying the theme “Pilihan Hari Ini, Penentu Masa Depan” (The Choices We Make Today Determine Our Future), the programme brought together 88 Form Five students, school administrators, a counsellor, teachers and a Social Work student attached to the school for her internship programme. The session was organised following an invitation from the school for Assoc. Prof. Dr Dolly Paul Carlo to share her knowledge, experience and perspectives on personal development, character building, motivation, stress management, goal setting, discipline and the importance of consistent effort in achieving success.
The talk emphasised that the journey towards success is not determined by academic results alone, but also by the choices students make every day. Students were encouraged to set clear goals, believe in their abilities, manage stress positively and develop disciplined study habits. The session highlighted how every small decision—to study consistently, manage time wisely, remain resilient when facing difficulties and seek support when needed—can contribute towards shaping a better future.
The programme aimed to enhance students’ motivation, self-confidence and mental preparedness in facing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2026 examination. At the same time, it sought to increase students’ awareness of personal development, positive character, emotional well-being and systematic planning. Through the sharing session and relevant activities, students were encouraged to view challenges not as barriers but as opportunities to grow and strengthen themselves.
The positive feedback received from participating students reflected the relevance of the programme. A pre- and post-programme evaluation was conducted to assess students’ perceptions of their mental preparedness, motivation, ability to manage stress and set goals, understanding of discipline and consistent effort, as well as their readiness to take positive action in preparing for SPM 2026. Following the programme, students were also asked to evaluate the extent to which the talk had helped improve their preparation for SPM. Overall, the feedback was encouraging, indicating that the session was perceived as helpful in strengthening students’ preparation and motivation towards the examination.
The evaluation findings also provided useful feedback for the Faculty’s USR efforts, demonstrating how academic knowledge and expertise can be applied through practical community engagement to support the development of young people. The programme also provided an opportunity for the Social Work intern to gain valuable practical exposure by observing and participating in an initiative involving youth development, motivation and psychosocial well-being.
The initiative is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, recognising that students’ mental and emotional preparedness is an important component of their overall development and educational journey. The programme can be sustained through continued collaboration between the school, teachers, counsellor and relevant stakeholders, with the motivational materials and modules serving as useful resources for future cohorts of students.
Ultimately, “Pilihan Hari Ini, Penentu Masa Depan” is more than the title of a motivational talk. It is a reminder that the future is shaped by the choices made today. Through this USR initiative, FSSH, UNIMAS demonstrates that geographical distance need not be a barrier to knowledge sharing and community engagement. Even through an online platform, meaningful connections can be created and students can continue to benefit from the knowledge and experience shared by university academics.
Distance is not a boundary. Every connection is an opportunity to inspire, empower and shape a better future.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Change