PERLIS, 20 February 2013 - A group of 60 volunteers from the Volunteer Corps and the IM4U Secretariat, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and orphans from Perlis were treated to a special dinner Malam Rumpun Seni held at the Putra Palace Hotel, Kangar here recently.

The ceremony was also graced by USM Tuanku Chancellor, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail accompanied by his consort Raja Perempuan Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah binti Al-Marhum Tengku Abdul Rashid.

Malam Rumpun Seni also saw the presence of Perlis Chief Minister, Dato’ Seri Dr. Md Isa bin Sabu; members of the University Board of Governors which included the Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Zulkefli A. Hassan and principal officers of the university headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Omar Osman.

 

Omar said in his speech that the special ceremony was held to celebrate the Chairman and the Board of Governors members and at the same time to recognise the contributions of USM volunteers and cultural artists.

He said the university felt that as a tower of knowledge, its community needs to build a culture of giving rather than receiving, and work with their heart.

“We find blessings and keep human relations with sincerity and would work together dedicatedly not only to serve our own universities and institutions but also a wider community,” he said.

He added that the university strives hard to further empower all communities, particularly scholars and youths to provide voluntary services from a young age.

“Some of these efforts included cleaning the surrounding areas; helping those in need including people with disabilities, orphans, and abandoned citizens; much efforts have been made by several Schools such as performing free cleft lip surgery in Bangladesh and Indonesia,” he said.

Omar also said the establishment of the USM Volunteer Corps involved not only students but also younger people among officers and university academics as measures of acculturation and a spirit to work together sincerely for others. 

In the meantime, Tuanku Chancellor also consented to officiate the launching ceremony of the book Volunteerism in Malaysia: Fostering Civic Responsibility which was published by USM through the Industry and Community Network Division (ICN). 

Guests who attended the Malam Rumpun Seni were entertained by the USM Dewan Budaya cultural group in conjunction with the 46th Royal wedding anniversary. - Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa/Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe