12 January 2025 - The National Volunteer Workshop was held at the Putra PKPP Hall, Student Complex, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Participants involved in this workshop from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), this workshop was also attended by representatives from various other Public Universities. Among them are Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). Their presence further adds diversity and opportunities for networking and collaboration between participants from various backgrounds.

Module 1, entitled Introduction to Post-Flood Volunteers The invited speaker for this module is Puan Siti Nabihah Binti Zakaria from MyFundAction, who holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Development Management. Her presence is expected to provide valuable and practical insights to the participants on the topics discussed.

In this session, Puan Siti Nabihah shared her experience and knowledge on how volunteers can play a vital role in helping communities affected by floods. She also emphasized the importance of understanding the psychological and physical effects experienced by flood victims, as well as how volunteers can assist in the recovery process in an effective and empathetic manner.

Module 2, entitled Volunteer Skills and Preparation includes basic first aid techniques and practices, an explanation of Basic Life Support (BLS), as well as an explanation of health risks after floods such as waterborne diseases and infectious diseases. In addition, this module also emphasizes risk prevention and the use of personal protective equipment.

The invited speaker for this module is Dr. Nor Syafiqah Binti Yusoff from MyHeart Association, who holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Malaya. Her presence is expected to provide valuable and practical insights to participants on the topics discussed.

In this session, Dr. Nor Syafiqah shared basic first aid techniques that are important for every volunteer to know. She also explained Basic Life Support (BLS) steps that can save lives in emergency situations. In addition, he provided detailed explanations on the health risks that may be faced after a flood and ways to prevent them, including the use of proper personal protective equipment.

Module 3, titled Emotional Recovery and Community Support, includes community trauma and emotional stress management, active listening methods and providing emotional support, as well as communication practices and training with flood victims. The invited speaker for this module was Mr. Mohd Azri Bin Zaini, Program Manager (Healthcare) from MyFundAction, who holds a Bachelor of Humanities (Psychology) with Honours from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

In this session, Mr. Mohd Azri shared important trauma management techniques to help communities affected by floods. He also explained active listening methods that volunteers can use to provide effective emotional support to flood victims. In addition, he provided practical training in communication with flood victims, which aimed to improve participants' skills in providing psychosocial assistance.

Module 4, entitled Post-Flood Volunteer Management and Activities, includes community support activities such as gotong-royong, efficient and practical post-flood volunteer management, basic techniques for area cleanliness and sanitation, as well as logistics management and practical post-flood machine operation through hands-on sessions. The invited speaker for this module is Associate Captain (PA) Rizal Razak from KOR SISPA UPM.

In this session, Associate Captain Rizal Razak shared his experience and knowledge on efficient post-flood volunteer management. He also explained basic techniques for area cleanliness and sanitation that are important to ensure a safe and clean environment. In addition, the hands-on session on post-flood machine operation provided participants with the opportunity to practice the skills they had learned firsthand.

UPM SISPA members also assisted in various sessions with Associate Captain Rizal Razak, providing support and guidance to the participants. Their presence added further practical value and experience to this module.

The closing ceremony was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Mursyid Arshad, who in his speech emphasized the importance of volunteers in building a better and more resilient society. He also congratulated all participants who had shown commitment and dedication throughout the workshop. He emphasized that the role of volunteers is very important in helping communities affected by disasters and encouraged participants to continue to be active in volunteer activities.

Also present at the ceremony was a representative from MyFundAction, Puan Siti Norain binti Abd Samad, MyFundAction Volunteer Development Manager who is a collaboration partner of the UPM Co-Curriculum and Student Development Center. Her presence added to the excitement of the ceremony and showed strong support for the volunteer efforts carried out. She also delivered a brief speech, thanking all parties involved and hoping that this collaboration will continue in the future.

The ceremony ended with a certificate presentation session to the participants, as a sign of appreciation for their participation and efforts. The participants looked happy and excited to receive their respective certificates, which is a recognition of their commitment and dedication throughout the workshop.

 Thank you to all the public universities involved, including Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) as the host, then Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). With the end of this event, it is hoped that all participants will continue to be enthusiastic and committed in carrying out volunteer activities in the future, as well as applying the knowledge and skills they have learned to help communities in need.

Date of Input: 13/01/2025 | Updated: 20/01/2025 | saidatul.halim