Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business

OYAGSB–NASOM TREATS AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO A FUN-FILLED DAY

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UUM ONLINE: Last July, the MBA students of Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB) UUM collaborated with the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) Alor Setar to organise a one-day fun-filled event for the autistic children at Kidzoona Aman Central, Alor Setar.

The event was carried out with the purpose of inculcating and enhancing the postgraduate students’ leadership skills whilst contributing back to the society by means of helping the autistic community.

Dr. Nazahah Abd Rahim, the project facilitator said, the event afforded the MBA students with a platform to utilize their leadership skills in hopes of creating positive impact particularly on the autistic community.

NASOM is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides a range of support services to assist people living with autism, especially young adults with autism to live independently and gain degree of financial independence.

NASOM hopes to raise more public awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as to assist parents in identifying the syndrome at earlier age.

According to a press release announced in 2014 by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism and its associated behaviours have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in every 68 children.

The event held at Kidzoona Aman Central saw the participation of 16 autistic children accompanied by eight teachers, three volunteers and eight members of the organizing committee.

Various fun activities were carried out such as dancing, colouring, sand art, DIY craft and cupcake decoration. Prizes and goodie bags courtesy of public sponsorship were distributed to the children. The teachers also received tokens of appreciation for their efforts in giving care to the children.

In the closing remark, Prof. Dr. Shahizan Hassan, the Dean of OYAGSB UUM expressed his gratitude and appreciation towards NASOM for choosing to work with UUM.

He also expressed hopes that the collaboration shared between OYAGSB and NASOM would be a long-standing one.

The Vice-President of NASOM Alor Setar, Haryati Hasni Tajuddin also expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the support NASOM received from the public and OYAGSB UUM. She hoped that more awareness of autism can be raised so that the autistic can have a place in society.

Amongst the VIPs who attended the event were Director of MBA Programme, Dr. Francis Chuah Chin Wei; Director of Alumni and Corporate Relation, Dr. Gunalan Nadarajah and Director of Student Experience and Customer Care, Dr. Nazahah Abd Rahim cum event facilitator. 

Attendees also witnessed the presentation of an industrial sewing machine worth MYR 1,700 to NASOM Alor Setar. With the help of the industrial sewing machine, NASOM Alor Setar can better sustain their financial status and increase their productivity for commercialization in the future.

The organizing committee expressed hope that the event will inspire the autism children to be successful in their life and to believe that they have their own special quality and uniqueness.

The autistic children also taught the organising committee a thing or two namely weaknesses do not limit individual to become a better person and achieving success in life.

OYAGSB KUALA LUMPUR
Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB)
Universiti Utara Malaysia (Kampus Kuala Lumpur)
27-1B Tingkat 1, Wisma Sri Muda (UUMKL Menara 2)
Jalan Raja Muda Abd Aziz, Kampung Baru
50300 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
TEL: +604-928 7192/7194