Kota Samarahan, 20 October 2026 – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), through its Psychology and Counselling Section (PsyCon), Student Services Centre, Division of Student Affairs and Alumni, organised a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme as one of the key components of the Striving Towards Emotional and Psychological Support (STEPS Summit) 2026.
Held from 16 to 17 October 2026 at Kampung Jawa Semenggok Lama, Kuching, the initiative aimed to promote psychological well-being, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen engagement between the university and the local community.
Themed “Counselling in the Digital Era: Advancing Well-Being”, the programme was organised in conjunction with the National Counselling Month Celebration at UNIMAS. It brought together university staff and students, government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local residents through various activities focusing on holistic well-being, volunteerism, and social responsibility.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Hamzah bin Haji Brahim, State Legislative Assembly Member for N.17 Stakan. Also in attendance were Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong bin Matjeraie, Chairman of the UNIMAS Board of Directors, Yang Berbahagia Professor Dato Dr. Ahmad Hata bin Rasit, Vice-Chancellor of UNIMAS, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, members of the university’s senior management, and local community leaders.
The programme featured a range of community-centred activities, including communal clean-up efforts, aerobics sessions, health screenings conducted by the UNIMAS Health Centre, children’s colouring competitions, exhibitions by participating agencies, and knowledge-sharing sessions by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
A key highlight was the presentation of Bakul Sejahtera (Well-Being Baskets) to 100 identified individuals in need of assistance, reflecting UNIMAS’ commitment to community care, social support, and the well-being of vulnerable members of society.
Now in its fourth edition, STEPS Summit continues to play a significant role in addressing contemporary challenges to psychological well-being, particularly those arising from the rising cost of living, workplace demands, work-life balance, social changes, and the growing influence of digital technology.
The programme emphasised that well-being extends beyond mental health to encompass physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being, as well as digital literacy, all of which are interconnected and contribute to the overall quality of life.
The initiative also supports the aspirations of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to strengthen the well-being ecosystem while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. As a Community-Driven University, UNIMAS remains committed to extending its expertise, knowledge, and services beyond the campus through inclusive and impactful community engagement.
The CSR STEPS Summit 2026 demonstrates that building a thriving and resilient community requires continuous collaboration among universities, government agencies, and society to foster a healthier, more compassionate, and psychologically resilient community.
