01/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 1, 2026

COMMUNITY 7

Varsity students aid homeless in Chow Kit

Magdalene Ho recently returned to Malaysia to inspire the next generation of musicians through a lecture-recital organised by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp). Titled “In Conversation with Magdalene Ho”, the event was held under its Malaysia@Heart (MyHeart) initiative at UiTM Shah Alam. She engaged with more than 300 students, educators, musicians and the public through performances, conversations and shared learning at UiTM and the UCSI Institute of Music during this trip back. Ho, 22, is pursuing a Bachelor of KUALA LUMPUR: A group of first year students from the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Universiti Malaya, recently organised a community service project for people affected by homelessness and urban poverty in the capital city. They focussed on the areas of Jalan Silang, Cahaya Suria, UTC Pudu and Lorong Haji Taib, under the guidance of Dr Sabri Sulaiman and in collaboration with Food for Gelandangan (FFG), an NGO. The group, consisting of 27 students, participated in planning, fundraising and executing a series of activities that combined academic learning with real-world outreach. The project, Choweats: Komuniti Disantuni, Kesejahteraan Diperkasa is a part of the structured community engagement initiative under UM’s SULAM programme. Its goal is to provide assistance to the communities by distributing necessities such as food, basic groceries, clothes and toiletries. Aside from that, the programme also opened doors in creating social interactions with children through activities like drawing and a birthday celebration. FFG, a volunteer group founded by Mohd Azizan Zainal Abidin, gave the team guidance from its own experience in supporting homeless and urban poor communities. The Choweats project also allowed the students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world social issues, while strengthening their skills in teamwork, planning, communication and civic responsibility. As a structured partnership between academia and community organisations, it delivers tangible aid while promoting social awareness. It shows how student initiatives can o UM team participates in planning, fundraising and executing outreach activities

Faatihah speaking on the transformation of the Masjid Jamek Precinct. KL Architecture Week celebrates wondrous built heritage of city

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week (KLAW) has returned for its second edition, bringing architecture beyond exhibition halls and into the heart of the capital city. Held until Aug 16, the celebration is meant to reconnect people with Kuala Lumpur’s history, culture and built environment. KLAW invites locals and visitors to rediscover the city by uncovering the places, people and cultural layers that have shaped its unique identity. An initiative by Archidex - Asia’s Leading Architecture Business Event, the celebration was launched at the River of Life on the Masjid Jamek Lookout Point on July 19. The significant location, where the Klang and Gombak rivers meet, reflects the theme of this year’s edition – “A City Reborn: Rekindling the City, Layer by Layer”– celebrating Kuala Lumpur as a city built through generations of people, culture, architecture and heritage. There will also be collaborations among Malaysia’s renowned architects and artists who have worked with some of Archidex’s exhibitors in a specially curated installation and art sculptures that respond to the city’s heritage, identity and evolving urban landscape. The theme recognises that beneath Kuala Lumpur’s modern skyline lies a city shaped by many layers, from the communities and traditions that formed its beginnings, to the buildings, streets and public spaces that continue to define its character today. “KLAW is about creating a deeper connection between people and Kuala Lumpur, reconnecting with

the stories, spaces and communities that have shaped our city,” said Datuk Vincent Lim, president of CIS, joint organiser of Archidex. “Through architecture, arts and heritage, we hope to inspire people to rediscover KL, appreciate its unique identity and create new memories within the places we call home.” The opening ceremony included a talk by Bong Wei Jian of Arkitek LLA, who shared insights into the meticulous conservation of the iconic Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad. The project highlighted the balance between preserving historical authenticity and ensuring the landmark remains relevant for future generations. Goh Tze Hui of Arkitek JFN explored how urban regeneration and community-centred design can revitalise city centres through architecture and placemaking. Faatihah Hadi of Think City spoke on the transformation of the Masjid Jamek Precinct as a successful example of heritage-led urban regeneration, demonstrating how thoughtful public realm improvements and community engagement can reconnect people with Kuala Lumpur’s cultural roots while creating vibrant, inclusive public spaces. A highlight of KLAW 2026 is TE-TAMU, a self-guided exploration featuring four architectural installations in the downtown area. “The installations at KLAW show the versatility of a lot of materials that are used in construction that can also be transposed into sculptures and installations,” said Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia president Dexter Y.P. Koh.

The humanitarian project helped to nurture empathy and responsibility among the students as future leaders.

“The visit also gave me the chance to reconnect with family and friends I had not seen in years. I hope the conversations and performances encourage more young Malaysians to pursue their aspirations while staying connected to home.“ TalentCorp group CEO Biruntha Mooruthi said Malaysia’s global talent community remains a valuable national asset. “Through MyHeart, we create opportunities for accomplished Malaysians around the world to contribute their expertise, share international perspectives and inspire future generations here at home.” communication and empathy skills, and realised that structural issues, rather than laziness, are often at the root of homelessness.” Another student shared: “I was exposed to the realities faced by homeless and urban poor communities. It gave me the opportunity to interact with them directly, helping me better understand their struggles and daily challenges. “One difficulty I encountered was communicating with people from different backgrounds in a sensitive and respectful manner. This experience changed my perspective, making it more grounded in real-life interactions rather than assumptions or information from the internet.”

Music at the Royal College of Music, London, on a full scholarship. She won the 2023 Clara Haskil International Piano Competition before becoming the first female recipient of the International German Piano Award in 2024, establishing herself as one of Malaysia’s most accomplished young classical musicians. Her visit also brought together Malaysian musicians in the country and abroad through a chamber recital featuring diaspora cellist Sinjo Yap and violinist Alyssa Chong. “I was really happy to be able to perform in Malaysia again after being away for nearly three years,” Ho said. “It was wonderful to collaborate with talented local musicians and empower vulnerable communities, raise public consciousness, and nurture empathy and responsibility among future leaders. By bridging academic learning with social action, the project shows how universities can play an active role in addressing societal challenges. The project received positive feedback from the students. “This programme opened my eyes to the realities of the urban poor in Chow Kit, shifting my perspective from pity to deep empathy,” said one student. “Managing food distribution taught me adaptability and teamwork while dealing with logistical challenges and crowd control. I developed important

Pianist inspires next generation through TalentCorp initiative KUALA LUMPUR: Internationally acclaimed Malaysian pianist connect with students and the wider community through music.

Ho (centre) relished collaborating with local music talents and connecting with students during her return to Malaysia.