08/09/2026

TUESDAY | SEPT 8, 2026

12

EDUCATION NEWS

UM to lead first Asean network for geriatric dentistry

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o RM100,000 seed fund to set up secretariat as varsity partners regional universities to tackle ageing population challenges

quality of life of older adults across Asean. As the Secretariat, UM will provide academic leadership in coordinating regional initiatives, forging partnerships and advancing innovative solutions to support healthy ageing. The establishment of AUN GDENT reinforces UM’s commitment to internationalisation, interdisciplinary collaboration and impactful research addressing emerging regional and global healthcare priorities. It also cements UM’s position within the Asean University Network and reflects its continued dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Good Health and Well being, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities and Partnerships for the Goals.

Educator’s Merdeka song strikes national chord Yong spent two full days assembling and editing the music video for Many Colours, One Heart. – COURTESY PIX MIRI: A personal dream has become a musical tribute to the nation, after Miri educator Ken Yong released an original song ahead of this year’s Merdeka celebrations that has already drawn more than 22,000 views online. Titled Many Colours, One Heart, the song carries a simple but urgent message — that Malaysians may speak different languages, celebrate different festivals and come from different backgrounds but they share one home and a common hope for a peaceful, united nation. “I wanted to create something for Malaysia — something that could carry a message of love, harmony and unity,“ he said. Yong, who has more than 15 years of experience in education, public speaking and youth development, works closely with young people and believes strongly in the importance of communication, empathy and understanding across differences. The idea for the song grew from this belief. He developed the song’s concept, message and overall musical direction himself, using AI-assisted music tools as part of the creative production process to bring his ideas to life. He also personally assembled and edited the accompanying music video, spending two full days experimenting, testing and piecing the visual elements together. “AI was simply one of the tools I used. The message, concept and creative direction came from me. I wanted the final work to reflect how I feel about Malaysia,“ he said. Since its release on YouTube, the song has been discovered and shared by Malaysians across social media and community platforms, surpassing 22,000 views. For Yong, however, the number matters less than the message reaching people. “Every view represents someone who has taken a few minutes to listen. If the song makes even a few people feel more connected to Malaysia, then it has already achieved something meaningful,“ he said. The song celebrates Malaysia’s diversity while reminding listeners that unity does not require everyone to be the same. Yong is now inviting Malaysian media organisations, journalists, radio stations, digital publications, educators and community platforms to help share the story and introduce the song to a wider audience. Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA Malaya

LUMPUR:

Universiti

(UM) secured RM100,000 in seed funding to set up the secretariat of the first Asean level academic network dedicated to geriatric dentistry and healthy ageing, positioning the university at the forefront of the region’s response to a rapidly ageing population. The funding, approved by the Universiti Malaya Management Committee (JKPU), will support the establishment of the Asean University Network – Geriatric Dentistry Thematic Network (AUN GDENT) Secretariat at the UM Faculty of Dentistry. AUN-GDENT was formally approved by the Asean University Network (AUN) Board of Trustees, has PETALING JAYA: A teacher using drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to keep a displaced Orang Asli community’s education alive and another turning Science lessons into viral parody songs, are among five finalists named for the RISE Educator Award 2026. According to a statement by Taylor’s College, each finalist had found their own way to help students learn, grow and believe in what was possible, going beyond the classroom to create new opportunities and make a lasting difference. Dr Zul Faizuddin Osman, from SK Sungai Rual, Jeli, Kelantan, transformed a remote Orang Asli school into a hub of digital innovation and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) excellence. He founded the School of NFT initiative in 2021, integrating digital art, AI and STEM into classroom learning to equip students with future-ready skills. His efforts lifted student attendance from 70.7 per cent to 82.8%, with 81% of students actively using the DELIMa platform. Mohamad Safuan Rozak, a Science teacher from SK Desa Jaya, Pahang, created more than 40 educational parody songs to make complex Science concepts easier to understand, memorable and engaging, turning lessons into experiences that extended beyond the classroom. His creative approach has reached millions online, drawing more than four million YouTube views and a growing digital community across platforms. Muhammad Hafizu Aiman Jusoh, Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

engagement. As a regional platform, AUN GDENT will strengthen education, research, capacity building, policy engagement and community outreach in geriatric dentistry. Through collaboration among Asean universities and strategic partners, the network aims to harmonise geriatric dentistry curricula, promote joint research, facilitate faculty and student mobility, support evidence informed policymaking and build a skilled workforce capable of improving the oral health and

with its establishment endorsed at the 17th Asean University Network Rectors’ Meeting. UM leads the network in collaboration with its founding partners — the National University of Singapore, Universitas Indonesia and Khon Kaen University — to tackle the mounting healthcare challenges posed by ageing populations across the region. The RM100,000 seed fund will drive the network’s initial activities, covering governance, collaborative programmes, digital platforms, research planning and regional

Five educators redefine learning beyond classrooms

Students take part in a learning activity. – COURTESY PIX

inquiry-based and project-based learning, hands-on investigations, digital technology and authentic applications. Her efforts contributed to a 100% pass rate in all Science subjects, with four of six subjects recording their best examination performance in five years. The RISE Educator Award 2026 winner will receive a grand prize of RM5,000 in cash, while the nominator will receive RM500. The winner’s school will also receive RM50,000 in sponsorship to support further development initiatives. The four other finalists will each receive RM1,000 in cash, RM10,000 in school sponsorship and RM250 for their nominators.

Guided by his philosophy of “Think · Navigate · Create”, he has spent 12 years transforming classrooms into spaces where curiosity, creativity and innovation thrive. He established the school’s AI Drone Team and AI Digital Junior Leaders, nurturing young innovators while building a culture of peer learning. Veronica, from SMK St. Bernadette’s Convent, transformed STEM education into a sustainable school culture where students were inspired to innovate, think critically and solve real-world problems. As the school’s STEM Coordinator and Head of Department, she redesigned Biology, Science and Mathematics lessons through

from SK Pulat, Kelantan, believed a community’s future should not disappear even when its home did. With the Orang Asli Temiar community of Pos Pulat facing relocation due to the Nenggiri Dam project, he chose to focus on preserving his students’ access to meaningful education and future opportunities. Through Rumah Belajar Tanpa Loceng, a self-directed learning model based on heutagogy, he built a learning ecosystem combining STEM, AI, digital skills and Temiar heritage. Teh Zhen Kiat, from SJK(C) Sungai Buloh, Selangor, believed education was not only about academic achievement but about empowering students to discover their potential.

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