BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 19th MAY 2026 – Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), in collaboration with Universiti Malaya (UM) through Sekretariat Sukarelawan UM (SEKRUM), carried out a community service initiative at Kampung Setia A, Kampong Ayer as part of the UM–UBD International Enrichment Programme (IEP), held from 17th to 21st May 2026. The programme focused on cultural exchange, community engagement, educational outreach, and student development through experiential learning.
The initiative brought together students from both universities who worked alongside the local community in river cleaning activities as well as maintenance work at Masjid Kampung Setia A, including cleaning and painting efforts. These activities contributed to the upkeep of shared community spaces while fostering a strong sense of cooperation and mutual appreciation between participants and residents.
Beyond the service component, participants engaged with local villagers of Kampung Setia A, gaining first-hand insight into the heritage, daily life, and cultural identity of Kampong Ayer. These interactions enriched cultural understanding and strengthened appreciation of the community’s role in preserving Brunei’s unique water village heritage.
Siti Nurlila Haji Salleh, Secretary of the organising committee, shared that the programme offered meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom environment. “The direct engagement with the community allowed students to develop empathy, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of service learning in real-life contexts,” she said.
The programme concluded with appreciation extended to the villagers of Kampung Setia A for their cooperation and support throughout the activities, which contributed significantly to the success of the initiative.
The UM–UBD International Enrichment Programme highlight the value of experiential and cross-cultural learning, translating international collaboration into meaningful community impact while strengthening student development, cultural appreciation, and social responsibility.
