PENANG, 5 March 2026 – The ‘Ihya Ramadan Bersama Komuniti’ programme organised by the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Humanities (PPIK), with cooperation from the community of Northern Seberang Perai (SPU) was successfully held recently.

This programme is one of the avenues in which the university could engage the local community, at the same time fostering a sense of togetherness and the spirit of giving in the blessed month of Ramadan.

The main objective of the programme was to create a stronger bond of ‘silaturrahim’ among the university and local community, and to encourage charitable deeds which are among the pillars of living in a society, more so during this blessed month.

Through this university-community collaboration, the academic and administrative staff of PPIK together with the SPU community work hand in hand to prepare close to 500 packs of ‘bubur lambuk’.

This ‘gotong-royong’ activity not only strengthened the feeling of togetherness, it also served to foster closer relations.

Packs of ‘bubur lambuk’ (rice porridge) which have been prepared earlier were then distributed to the local and PPIK communities, USM Security Department, students, and USM staff.

The gesture symbolised the sharing of provision and the spirit of giving, which is the essence of Ramadan.

Also present at the programme was the Dean of PPIK, Associate Professor Dr. Jasni Sulong, together with the top management of the School. Their presence provided a major moral support to members of the School and the community involved.

According to Jasni, “This programme serves as a platform to strengthen strategic relations between the university and the community, in aligning with the aspiration of USM as a university that is based on humanitarian values and community wellbeing.”

Overall, the ‘Ihya Ramadan Bersama Komuniti’ programme not only succeeded in achieving its objective in the sharing of provision, but it is able to invigorate the spirit of togetherness, care and love, and social mindfulness which forms the core in ensuring the growth of a community’s wellbeing.

Source: School of Humanities (PPIK), USM/Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: School of Humanities, USM