AIU Strengthens Community Engagement Through Strategic Visit to JKM Kampung Anak Bukit
ALOR SETAR, 30 April 2025 – Albukhary International University (AIU) further advanced its commitment to community engagement through an official visit to Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) Kampung Anak Bukit, Kedah. The visit, which took place from 10.00 to 11.30 a.m., was organised by Mr. Abu Bakar bin Ngah, Director of the Centre for Community and Industry Engagement (CCIE), as part of AIU’s ongoing initiatives to foster collaborative partnerships with public sector agencies.
The delegation comprised esteemed academicians from the School of Business and Social Sciences, including Professor Dr. Nor Azilah Husin, Associate Professor Dr. Ayesah Uy Abubakar, Associate Professor Dr. Norizan Binti Azizan, and Lecturer Farah Syazwani binti Hayrol Aziz. The visit began with a warm welcome from the JKM team. Mr. Abu Bakar introduced the university’s vision and mission, focusing on AIU’s role in supporting social development through education, research, and community service. He also emphasised the importance of forming strategic ties with government agencies to support marginalised groups.
JKM representatives delivered an insightful presentation on the department’s key operational areas, highlighting services provided to persons with disabilities (OKU), senior citizens, and children. They reported that approximately 60,000 individuals across Kedah currently receive support from JKM. In response to this demand, JKM has launched a two-year “Exit Program” aimed at empowering aid recipients to reintegrate into society and live independently.
During the session, both parties engaged in productive discussions on potential collaboration. JKM expressed interest in receiving academic and technical support for managing products developed by Community-Based Rehabilitation Centres (PPDK), particularly in areas such as agriculture, marketing, product development, and branding. The department also expressed a strong desire to adopt a social enterprise model to create sustainable income for PPDK participants. Currently, only 20 out of 44 PPDK centres have established products, with PDK Merbok standing out for its wooden and batik crafts.
Recognising the alignment between AIU’s academic expertise and JKM’s operational needs, Associate Professor Dr. Ayesah proposed the development of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to solidify the collaboration. This proposal was well received by the delegation and the JKM team. The proposed MoU would encompass joint strategic planning, development of real-world case studies, internship opportunities for students, and co-organised community programs. To initiate the partnership, it was suggested that JKM be invited to AIU to deliver a public sharing session, presenting their success stories and best practices to the university community.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to moving forward with the collaboration. Both AIU and JKM agreed on the importance of working together to strengthen social impact efforts while enriching the academic experience for AIU staff and students. The next steps will include drafting the MoU, establishing a joint task force, and scheduling follow-up meetings to implement the proposed action plan. This visit reaffirmed AIU’s dedication to building sustainable, socially driven partnerships that contribute meaningfully to national development.
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