ACADEMICS and extracurricular activities are no longer the only areas supporting the holistic growth of Malaysian undergraduates.
Increasingly, community projects are becoming a significant component of their development.
Committed to empowering Malaysian undergraduates to lead meaningful community projects through learning, collaboration and responsible action, My Starfish Foundation and the Malaysian Social Entrepreneurs Foundation (MSEF) recently launched Projects for Happiness 2.0 (PFH 2.0).
Adopting a learning-first grant model, the programme offers grants from RM3,000 to RM10,000 per project, supported by structured capacity-building workshops prior to proposal evaluation and project implementation.
The initiative builds on PFH 1.0, implemented from 2014 to 2024, which supported 211 projects involving over 2,000 students from 46 colleges and universities, and benefited more than 60,000 community members nationwide.
Speaking at the launch on Jan 16, My Starfish Foundation chairman Cheng Ping Keat said PFH 2.0 is about nurturing responsible and empathetic young leaders.
“It focuses on three key areas: uplifting community livelihoods, enhancing well-being and promoting arts and culture.
“Beyond funding, we focus on equipping students with the skills, mindset and partnerships needed to create a real impact in communities,” he said in a press release.
Higher Education Ministry academic excellence division director Assoc Prof Dr Azidah Abu Ziden said PFH 2.0 serves as a platform to help students understand community needs before acting, co-design meaningful and feasible projects with communities, and reflect on impact and learning throughout the journey.
“I urge all public and private universities and colleges, academics and students to take part in this initiative. You invest in more than a community project; you invest in the future of Malaysian graduates who are adaptable, empathetic and ready to lead in complex environments,” she said.
MSEF chairman Datuk Chan Wah Kiang emphasised that lasting change does not begin with grand ideas alone, but when a young person steps forward, sees a need and decides to act.
“As MSEF partners with My Starfish Foundation, this belief is guided by three core principles: empowerment, care and sustainability. Through this programme, students step beyond classrooms and textbooks into real communities, real challenges and real leadership,” he said.
Also present at the launch was Higher Education Ministry Service Learning Malaysia University for Society Taskforce chairman Prof Dr Sharipah Ruzaina Syed Aris.
The event included a panel discussion titled “From Campus to Community – Co-Creating Social Impact”, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening service-learning and community engagement.
With PFH 2.0 now open for applications, My Starfish Foundation welcomes partnerships and support – both financially and via in-kind contributions, expertise and shared resources – to grow the next generation of socially conscious leaders.
For more information, visit www.mystarfishfoundation.org.my.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1. In groups, brainstorm a mini “happiness project” to help your school or local community. Then, pitch your project to the class. You must explain the problem, propose your project, justify its benefits, and persuade others to support it.
2. In pairs, discuss the skills, mindset and partnerships needed to create a real impact in communities. Make a list and reflect on how you can develop these areas in yourself.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
