“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” (Helen Keller). The UiTM Centre of Foundation Studies (CFS, also known as Pusat Asasi UiTM) is at it again! CFS continues its excellence traditions by rendering its biggest ever community service “Exploring English through Community Engagement (EECE)” at eight (8) selected primary schools in Putrajaya and Dengkil on 21st February 2020. The project involved a total of 2,528 pre-university students from the Science and Engineering programmes and 9,741 pupils, in an attempt to set a record in the Malaysian Book of Record.

Community service is a requirement of the newly implemented syllabus for English for Foundation Studies II course. The project serves as an ideal platform for UiTM students to give back to the community by teaching English. This is in line with the main objective of the project, which is to enhance the mastery of the English language of both the pre-university and school students.

It is also through this project that they learn leadership skills and teamwork. They put in a lot of effort and time in planning the activities and preparing for the lessons that are fun and engaging. After all, the best way for the students to learn English is perhaps through their enjoyment of the lessons!

To commemorate the success of CFS being in MBR, a closing ceremony was held at its campus in Dengkil on 28 February 2020. The certificate of recognition event was was handed over by Ms. Lee Pooi Leng, Office Manager of Malaysia Book of Records to Professor Dr. Saifollah bin Abdullah, Director of CFS witnessed by Professor Dr. Azizan bin Abdullah, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs UiTM and Mr. Anas As-said Zaharuddin, Special Officer of Member of Parliament Sepang. The eight school headmasters and headmistress, lecturers and students involved were also there to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

In his speech, Professor Dr. Saifollah emphasised on the importance of “giving wholehearted commitment in achieving the common goal of servicing the community and providing our students with an invaluable experience”. In fact, the high commitment of CFS in executing its corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been demonstrated by the many communal activities done in the past. This time, it is through the teaching of English to the students in schools by the pre-university students. The hard work and dedication by the students and lecturers in making this project a success is proof that CFS is making CSR a culture among its campus community.

CFS has indeed carved its name among other ‘extraordinaire’ achievers in the Malaysian Book of Record for the “Largest Simultaneous Student participations in an English activity Programme”. However, this phenomenal achievement would not have been possible without the supports of many – the Director, headmasters, lecturers and students, as well as teachers and pupils.

The Deputy VC thanked all eight schools involved – SK Dengkil, SK Putrajaya Presint 5(1), SK Putrajaya Presint 8(1), SK Putrajaya Presint 8(2), SK Putrajaya Presint 9(1), SK Putrajaya Presint 9(2), SK Putrajaya Presint 18(1), and SK Putrajaya Presint 18(2) and commended the exemplary commitment shown especially by the lecturers of the Academy of Language Studies (APB) at CFS for spearheading the project, as well as others and students who worked very hard to make the event a success. He also advised all students to continue being actively involved in various innovative and community service projects. It is the Director’s hope that the EECE programme would serve as a catalyst for further development under one of the key initiatives outlined in the UiTM 2025 Strategic Planning.