An alumna sharing session was held at a recent Community Service class under the supervision of Teaching Fellow, Ms Ng Siew Cheng. Lee Yoke Yin, a graduate of the Diploma in Events Management, who is currently employed by the Great Heart Charity Association, shared her roles, responsibilities, and aspirations. Great Heart Charity Association is a non-profit charity association in Malaysia that strives to serve as a platform between contributors, volunteers, and beneficiaries to provide and receive financial and in-kind aid.

During her study at the School of Hospitality and Service Management, Yoke Yin participated in a community service project in collaboration with the Great Heart Charity Association, which inspired her to join the organisation upon graduation. Today, Yoke Yin is a Partnership Executive Trainee under the Partnership Development Department at Great Heart Charity Association. As a Partnership Executive Trainee, Yoke Yin is responsible for managing organisation partners, particularly in communicating and providing partner support. The partnership liaison is extremely vital for collaborations between the charity organisation and external stakeholders in enabling a sustainable social commitment.

The Community Service subject is part of the students’ graduating requirements, where all students have the opportunity to participate in community activities through professional societal management. During this sharing session, Yoke Yin also discussed some of the insights to conducting effective yet meaningful community service projects.

Ms Ng Siew Cheng also highlighted, “Community service helps students to develop a sense of social responsibility, a better view of society, and a heart for ‘giving back’ and helping others. It does not only have positive effects on society but it will also bring benefits to our lives and personal development. It also allows students to explore academic interests through community service projects that enable students to gain and improve skills such as communication and organizational skills, teamwork, planning, problem-solving and task management”.

In the closing note, Ms Ng also mentioned that the involvement of students in community service can inspire them to pursue their passion and interests that may lead to a career choice just like Lee Yoke Yin.