The Indian Cultural Society (ICS) of University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) undergraduate Bachelor of Law students have started a revolutionary project called “Uyarvom Uyarthuvom” with the goal of improving the lot of Tamil school students in Malaysia. The goal of this student-led initiative is to encourage social responsibility and self-improvement in Tamil schoolchildren, especially those who attend rural schools.
This initiative’s first event, a Motivational Camp called “Uyarvom Uyarthuvom,” was held at SJK (T) Pulau Carey Barat in Selangor. On April 26 and 27, 2024, 47 enthusiastic students from three Tamil schools on Carey Island, Selangor—SJKT Pulau Carey Barat, SJKT Pulau Carey Timur, and SJKT Pulau Carey Selatan came to this two-day camp.
Ten participants from each university led the camp with the guidance of Ashwinie Perumal, in cooperation with the Baratham Club of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). The program included a variety of workshops focused on all-around growth, from financial literacy to empowering women in leadership roles.
The first session of the camp focused on financial literacy, highlighting the significance of financial literacy even for young children. After that, a career pathway session featured special courses offered at UniSZA and UMT, like Agricultural Biotechnology, International Relations, and Nautical Science, in an effort to dispel myths about career choices.
Throughout the camp, there was a focus on raising awareness of both physical and mental health. Activities included sharing sessions, walks at night, and talks about overall wellbeing. Students participated in a Climate Action slot, which involved planting 25 plants to encourage sustainability in their community and raise awareness of environmental issues.
In addition, during a goal-setting exercise, students were taught the idea of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals, which promoted an aspirational and successful mindset. In the engaging Leadership Empowerment session, students developed their leadership skills by taking part in a simulated election campaign where they discussed rural concerns and offered solutions.
The participants in this comprehensive approach to student development were not only better off, but it also helped achieve nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as Partnership for the Goals, Climate Action, Good Health and Well-Being, and Quality Education.
Without the cooperation of numerous participants, the “Uyarvom Uyarthuvom” program would not have been a success. Ashwinie Perumal and the organizing team expressed their appreciation for the important support received from the parent teacher associations, plant donors, headmasters of the participating schools, and supporting organizations.
Students were given plant seeds to plant in their homes as a symbol of encouragement, which helped them develop a feeling of environmental responsibility. The first camp’s success provides a platform for subsequent initiatives. In order to guarantee that no student is left behind, ICS UniSZA wants to expand the “Uyarvom Uyarthuvom” project to more rural Tamil schools throughout Malaysia with the steadfast support of Tamil schools.
Through empowerment and education, Tamil school students can become change agents, constructively contributing to society and crafting a more inclusive and prosperous future for all. The “Uyarvom Uyarthuvom” program is a ray of hope that is helping Malaysian Tamil schoolchildren look forward to a better future.
