KUALA SELANGOR, 20 June 2026 – The Faculty of Human Ecology (FEM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) successfully organised the Social Laboratory@FEM Open Day Programme with the Kampung Bukit Kuching Community at the Dewan Balairaya Kampung Bukit Kuching, Mukim Jeram, Kuala Selangor, in conjunction with the Putra Synergy Month 2026 celebration. The programme further strengthened the strategic relationship between the university, government agencies and the local community.

The one-day programme successfully attracted a total of 347 participants, comprising 115 SULAM@UPM students, 150 community members, 36 UPM staff members, 12 representatives from various agencies including National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), Selangor State Health Department and Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM), as well as 34 children who participated in the colouring competition.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Professor Dr. Shamsul Bahri Hj. Md Tamrin, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Relations), Universiti Putra Malaysia. Also present were Haji Mohammad Faisal Ismail, Political Secretary to the Member of Parliament for Kuala Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad; Mohd Rizan Haron, Penghulu of Mukim Jeram; Prof. Dr. Mohamad Fazli Sabri, Dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology, UPM; academic officers, administrative staff of the faculty, and village heads from the surrounding areas of Mukim Jeram. The presence of community leaders, university members and representatives of the local community reflected a shared commitment to advancing community development through close collaboration among the university, agencies and the community.

The organisation of this programme is highly aligned with the aspirations of Putra Synergy Month 2026, which emphasises strengthening collaborative networks, knowledge transfer and active engagement between university members and the community. Through this platform, UPM's academic and professional expertise was directly translated into community benefits through a variety of inclusive, interactive and impactful activities aimed at enhancing community well-being.

Among the main activities that received encouraging participation were parenting programmes, a halal-based rural entrepreneur food product competition, a colouring competition, learning and community service activities conducted by SULAM@UPM students, urban farming demonstrations, basic health screenings and check-ups, agency exhibitions, as well as the sale of community products and rural entrepreneurs’ products.

The Social Laboratory@FEM Open Day Programme also served as a platform to introduce the role of Social Laboratory@FEM as a rural community development initiative that supports UPM’s aspiration to strengthen social, economic and family well-being through knowledge-based, structured and impactful interventions. The successful organisation of this programme demonstrates FEM’s continued commitment to advancing community empowerment through close collaboration among the university, agencies and society, in line with the spirit of Putra Synergy Month 2026.– End –

News/Photography by: Mohd Aspah Kasim