Prepared by: Nur Athirah binti Mohd Noh

Serdang, 24 January 2026 - The Spirituality and Unity Secretariat of the College Representative Council, Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee College (KTMB), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), successfully organised the JIWA PUTRA@KTMB: Jalinan Nurani programme at Rumah Seri Kenangan, Cheras, Selangor. A total of 37 students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM, actively participated in the programme and contributed to the success of every planned activity.

Activity 1: Heart-to-Heart Engagement Session

The programme began with the participants travelling from the university campus to Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK) Cheras. Upon arrival, the participants joined the residents for light exercises followed by breakfast, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The friendly interactions established from the very beginning fostered meaningful connections between the students and the elderly residents, encouraging open communication and mutual understanding. The first activity featured an engagement session with a variety of enjoyable recreational activities, including board games, memory games, and do-it-yourself (DIY) craft activities. These activities provided valuable opportunities for the participants and organising committee members to spend quality time with the residents while building closer relationships.

Through conversations and the sharing of personal stories, the students gained a deeper appreciation of the emotions, experiences, and needs of older adults. Although simple in nature, the attention, companionship, and meaningful conversations shared during the session brought great joy to the residents while also encouraging the students' creativity and empathy.

Figure 1: Heart-to-heart engagement session with the residents of Rumah Seri Kenangan, Cheras.

Figure 2: Heart-to-heart engagement session with the residents of Rumah Seri Kenangan, Cheras

The second activity focused on improving the physical environment of Rumah Seri Kenangan. Participants worked together in a community clean-up effort to beautify and maintain the surrounding areas of the home. This initiative aligned with the programme's objective of creating a cleaner, safer, and more comfortable living environment for the residents. 

The Programme Director, Ms Suhvarhna A/P Raguraman, shared that the purpose of the activity extended beyond simply cleaning the premises. It represented the students' sincere effort to bring smiles to the residents' faces and create meaningful memories that they would cherish. Participation in the programme also provided students with valuable experiential learning opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership, organisational management, teamwork, and the development of essential soft skills.

Figure 3: Community clean-up session around Rumah Seri Kenangan, Cheras.

Overall, the programme successfully brought together participants from diverse backgrounds and served as a meaningful platform to strengthen the relationship between the university and the local community through healthy, purposeful, and community-oriented activities.

Figure 4: Group photograph with the residents of Rumah Seri Kenangan, Cheras, and the programme organising committee.

Figure 5: Group photograph of the organising committee of the JIWA PUTRA@KTMB: Jalinan Nurani programme.

Date of Input: 09/07/2026 | Updated: 09/07/2026 | s_syazana