Seri Iskandar, 25 June 2025 — A total of 94 Diploma in Fashion Design students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seri Iskandar successfully concluded the Warna Kasih: Ikat & Celup Community Programme, held in collaboration with the Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI), SMK Seri Iskandar, under the framework of the Service-Learning Malaysia – University for Society (SULAM) initiative.
This community-based learning programme was organised as part of the students’ coursework for the Fashion Management (FES253) module. It aims to foster experiential learning and social responsibility by integrating academic knowledge with real-world community engagement.
The one-day programme welcomed 48 special needs students from SMK Seri Iskandar and introduced them to the fundamentals of ikat & celup (tie-dye textile art). Through engaging hands-on activities facilitated by UiTM fashion students, the participants had the opportunity to create their own textile artworks, express themselves artistically, and engage in meaningful interactions with their university mentors.
Warna Kasih offered more than artistic exposure—it also served as a platform for building confidence, creativity, and social inclusion. Students from UiTM gained deeper insights into inclusive fashion practices while developing essential skills in teamwork, leadership, and communication through close collaboration with the PPKI community.
“This programme exemplifies the spirit of SULAM by merging classroom learning with civic engagement. It reflects how art and education can be transformative, not only for academic growth but also for personal development across diverse communities,” said the programme advisor.
The successful implementation of Warna Kasih: Ikat & Celup underscores UiTM’s ongoing commitment to fostering designers with compassion, integrity, and a strong sense of community engagement. It is a vibrant example of how fashion education can be leveraged to empower and include — nurturing the next generation of socially responsible creative leaders.