By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

PUTRAJAYA, 21 August 2015 – Students who take part in volunteer services have an advantage in seeking employment compared to students who did not.

Several international research data showed that those with volunteer experience who later sought jobs after graduation, have a 30 percent higher probability to secure employment over those who don’t have that skill, said Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Lokman Hakim Ramli.

“Those who want to get back into the job market after quitting, or had not been employed, you will find it easier to find work if you had continued to do  volunteering duty. As a member of a  volunteer group who assist the disabled, this is an advantage,” he said while delivering his speech at the closing ceremony of the volunteer induction programme to support the disabled (SOKU) here on August 16, 2015.

He said those who have the volunteering spirit to help the disabled have been  dedicated to do something without expecting anything in return.

“You (students) are the future leaders of our country and the government is very supportive in ensuring youths start helping the community.

“You have gone through the problem-solving process. So, you have shown  consistency in how to help the under-privileged, how to help the disabled and you do the programme,” he stated.

He explained that all parties should be involved in this and not just the Ministry or Government in ensuring the success of each programme.

“We (government) need strategic partners to do this collaboration and today it became reality when public universities and private higher educational institutions came together with the ministries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the programme,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships) of the  National University of Malaysia (UKM) Prof Dr Imran Ho Abdullah said this programme brought the institutions of higher learning and the community closer.

“I hope this programme will be held again with more participation in collaboration between the public and private institutions.

“One of the missions of UKM’s as the guardian of the nation is the establishment of this university through the wishes of the people and formed by people. So we must always be with society in doing the community programmes,” he clarified.

He denied that UKM is an ivory tower,  but is an institution that actually uses  knowledge and expertise to benefit the community.

“This programme definitely will have the support and backing of UKM through the Office of Industry and Community Partnerships. So it should be continued,” he said.

The two day programme held at the Murni International College (Murni) was attended by 70 college students from various fields of study.

The SOKU programme is a joint effort by KBS, Malaysia Youth Council, UKM, Murni and Mahsa University Colleges.

Also present at the closing ceremony were  Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology and Human Development cum Head of an Induction, SOKU Programme, Dr Aizan Sofea and Vice President of the Malaysian Youth Council, Mohamad Maliki Mohamad Rapiee.