FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES THROUGH INTERNATIONAL SULAM PROJECTS IN ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES

Abstract

Service-Learning Malaysia-University for Society (SULAM) integrates academic learning with community service, promoting sustainability and enhancing student development. This study examines five (5) international SULAM initiatives in Indonesia, India, and Thailand using a mixed-method approach. The qualitative component involved document reviews, while the quantitative component used entrance and exit surveys to assess the impacts of the programme in student learning outcomes’ attainment in Engineers in Society course. Projects in Indonesia addressed environmental conservation and waste management, the India projects included an online symposium and classroom maintenance, and the Thailand project involved concrete structure integrity assessment. Survey results indicate significant improvements in students' problem-solving skills, environmental awareness, and ethical understanding, with marked increases in self-assessment scores across all learning outcomes attainment. Qualitative insights highlight meaningful contributions to community engagement and sustainable practices. However, limitations include a narrow sample scope, reliance on self-reported data, and absence of longitudinal tracking, which may affect the generalizability and depth of findings. Future recommendations involve expanding the sample size across diverse engineering disciplines and SULAM projects, incorporating longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts, and enhancing data collection through objective assessments and qualitative methods such as interviews. Addressing these areas will enable SULAM projects to further enrich academic learning and foster sustainable community contributions.