USM PENANG, 26 June 2026 – Community Social Responsibility (CSR) is often associated with outreach programmes that benefit external communities.

However, students from the School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), have demonstrated that meaningful social responsibility can begin much closer to home.

Breaking away from the conventional approach to CSR, final-year students from the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning programme successfully carried out an internal CSR initiative aimed at improving the student restrooms within HBP.

Rather than looking beyond the campus for opportunities to contribute, the students chose to enhance a facility that serves the daily needs of hundreds of members of the HBP community.

Held on 20 June 2026 as part of the RPS409 Planning Studio 5 course, the initiative involved 25 final-year students who voluntarily undertook a comprehensive cleaning and improvement project under the guidance of Studio Coordinator, Professor TPr. Dr. Azizan Marzuki.

The project reflected the students' commitment to creating a cleaner, healthier, and more conducive learning environment while putting into practice the principles of planning, project management, and community engagement.

The project went beyond routine cleaning. Following an initial site assessment, the students identified several maintenance issues, including stained floor surfaces, worn plumbing fixtures, and damaged bidets.

They subsequently organised the procurement of cleaning materials and replacement hardware before carrying out intensive cleaning works, replacing faulty faucets, and bidet fittings, and restoring the overall functionality and cleanliness of both the male and female student restrooms.

The initiative demonstrated that future urban planners are not only trained to design sustainable cities and communities but are equally committed to preserving and enhancing the environments they occupy.

Through teamwork, leadership, and a shared sense of ownership, the students translated classroom knowledge into meaningful action that directly benefited the HBP community.

Dean of the School of HBP, Associate Professor Sr Ts. Dr. Md Azree Othuman Mydin, commended the initiative, describing it as an excellent example of values-driven education.

He said, "This project reflects the true spirit of USM's mission of empowering students to become responsible citizens. While CSR is commonly associated with serving external communities, our students have demonstrated that genuine social responsibility begins by caring for the spaces and people around us. By improving facilities used daily by their fellow students, they have shown leadership, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging. These are precisely the qualities we hope to nurture in graduates who will one day shape sustainable and liveable communities."

He added that the initiative represents the school's aspiration to cultivate graduates who not only possess technical knowledge but also embody integrity, civic responsibility, and a commitment to improving society through practical action.

Professor TPr. Dr. Azizan Marzuki, who coordinated the RPS409 Planning Studio 5 course, said the initiative was intentionally designed to encourage students to appreciate that planning extends beyond theory and technical knowledge.

"As future planners, our students must understand that creating sustainable communities begins with cultivating a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their immediate surroundings. This project challenged them to identify real issues, organise resources, coordinate teamwork, and implement practical solutions that deliver tangible benefits to the community."

The successful completion of the project has significantly enhanced the hygiene, functionality, and comfort of the shared facilities while reinforcing the importance of stewardship within the university community.

More importantly, it has established an inspiring model of internal CSR, proving that impactful community service does not always require looking beyond campus boundaries. Sometimes, the greatest difference begins by improving the places we call our own.

Text & Photo: Professor TPr. Dr. Azizan Marzuki, School of Housing, Building and Planning (HBP), USM