Empowering Refugee Students and Inspiring Transformative Growth in Volunteers

APU’s 11-Month Workshop Series Shapes Futures

On 22nd November 2024, the School of Foundation (SoF) at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) concluded an inspiring 11-month workshop series for the learners at Elshaddai Refugee School.

Elshaddai Refugee School, the educational wing of the ElShaddai Centre, operates as a humanitarian NGO endorsed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Malaysia. With a mission to uplift displaced and marginalised communities across various nationalities, the Centre stands as a beacon of compassion and social service.

​Between January and November 2024, SoF lecturers and 98 dedicated student volunteers made monthly visits to Elshaddai Refugee School, conducting workshops in English, Science, Digital Literacy, and STEM. This initiative offered the refugee students invaluable learning opportunities, nurturing both academic and personal growth.

The programme concluded on an uplifting note, with students enthusiastically participating in a STEM-based team challenge to build the tallest balloon tower. The activity reflected the creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm of the refugee students, bringing the series to a memorable close.

Over the past year, these workshops not only equipped the students with knowledge and skills but also forged meaningful connections between the refugee learners, SoF staff, and APU volunteers, creating a shared journey of growth and learning.

While this chapter with Elshaddai Refugee School comes to an end, SoF’s outreach mission continues. In 2025, SoF will expand its monthly workshop series to collaborate with the Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia, a child-focused NGO committed to the protection and well-being of children in crisis.

Established in 2010, Suriana focuses on key areas such as:

• Education for children in underprivileged communities
• Protection of women and children
• Food aid for urban poor families
• Support for single mothers
• Assistance for teenage pregnancies

Starting February 2025, SoF’s workshops will run monthly through December, ensuring continuous support for children and families in need, aligning with the shared mission of education and empowerment.

Reflecting on the initiative, Datin Dr Sarvinder Kaur Sandhu, Head of the School of Foundation, shared: "Balancing community outreach with academic commitments teaches our students invaluable time management skills while cultivating empathy and a profound sense of responsibility. These experiences will shape their personal and professional journeys, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to society."

SoF remains unwavering in its commitment to creating positive change, using education as a catalyst to uplift and empower marginalised communities.