PENANG, 7 February 2026 – Sekretariat Khidmat Masyarakat Thaipusam, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the USM Thaipusam Thanneer Panthal 2026, which was conducted smoothly and as planned, continuing a community service tradition that has been sustained for more than five decades since its establishment in 1975.

The USM Thaipusam Thanneer Panthal once again served as a platform for unity, volunteerism, inclusivity, and social responsibility.

The event brought together participation from academic and administrative staff, local and international students, alumni, former staff, and volunteers who worked together to support devotees throughout the Thaipusam period.

Throughout the event, the USM Thanneer Panthal provided free vegetarian meals with sit and eat facilities, cold drinks, and refreshments, as well as a series of community awareness and educational sharing sessions.

These sessions, delivered by USM members and invited speakers, received encouraging participation from devotees and members of the public, reflecting growing interest in knowledge sharing alongside community service.

Inclusive and Sustainable Community Practices

A key highlight of the panthal was the continued operation of the dedicated mother-friendly corner for breastfeeding mothers.

The usage of this facility has shown a consistent year-on-year increase, demonstrating growing awareness and acceptance of inclusive, family-friendly initiatives.

This reflects USM’s ongoing commitment to creating a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for mothers and families attending Thaipusam.

In line with USM’s Go Green agenda, sustainability remained a central focus of the panthal.

Environmentally responsible practices were implemented, including the use of reusable stainless-steel plates and cups, waste reduction measures, and cleanliness awareness initiatives, reinforcing USM’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Institutional Support and Volunteer Engagement

The successful implementation of the USM Thaipusam Thanneer Panthal 2026 was made possible through strong institutional support from the university leadership.

The Secretariat expresses its sincere appreciation to the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Industry and Community Network (BJIM), Professor Dr. Azlan Amran; USM Registrar, Mohd Azizudin Mohd Shariff; and Deputy Registrar at BJIM, Mohd Faizal Md Osman, for their presence and continuous encouragement.

Their support has significantly strengthened the spirit of volunteerism and inspired greater participation in community service among staff, students, alumni, and volunteers.

The Secretariat also conveys its sincere gratitude to national and state leaders who visited the USM Thaipusam Thanneer Panthal 2026, including the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, YB Steven Sim Chee Keong; Deputy Minister of National Unity, YB R. Yuneswaran; Penang State Executive Councillor for Social Development, Welfare, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, YB Lim Siew Khim; and YB Senator Saraswathy Kandasami.

Their presence and encouragement further reinforced the values of unity, harmony, and inclusivity embodied by this community service initiative.

The USM Thaipusam Thanneer Panthal 2026 also reflects the university’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); SDG 4 (Quality Education); SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities); SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals); through inclusive community service, educational outreach, environmental responsibility, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

The Secretariat also records its heartfelt appreciation to all individuals and organisations who contributed, directly or indirectly, to the success of the USM Thaipusam Thanneer Panthal 2026.

The successful implementation of the panthal reaffirms USM’s sustained commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

Building on a legacy that began in 1975, the Secretariat looks forward to continuing this meaningful tradition in the years ahead, further strengthening volunteerism and expanding its positive impact on society.

Text: Associate Professor Dr. Yuvaraj Ganesan, Chairman, Sekretariat Khidmat Masyarakat Thaipusam, USM & Lecturer at Graduate School of Business (GSB), USM and Dr. Subramaniam Govindan, Advisor, Sekretariat Khidmat Masyarakat Thaipusam, USM