Iftar On The Go is a School of General Studies (SoGS) annual Ramadan community ESG event by the Secretarial Rukun Negara Club, involving 40 student volunteers from intake UCDF2408, alongside seven lecturers who distributed 1,000 free, nutritious iftar meals at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback and demonstrating the university’s commitment to community engagement and student-driven social responsibility. 

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As the holy month of Ramadan graced the calendar, students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of General Studies (SoGS) truly embodied the spirit of giving. 

Their annual ‘Iftar On The Go’ community service event by the Secretarial Rukun Negara Club, saw them providing a lifeline of free, nourishing iftar meals to commuters and those on the move during the crucial time of breaking fast. 

This remarkable initiative was not just a flash in the pan; it was the culmination of weeks of dedication. 

A staggering 1,000 packed meals were meticulously prepared and distributed at the key transit hub, Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS). 

This feat was made possible by the incredible efforts of APU students, who tirelessly participated in a series of co-curricular fundraising events in the weeks leading up to the main programme. 

Their ingenuity, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to service were the bedrock upon which Iftar On The Go was built, ensuring the necessary resources were secured. 

A heartfelt outreach 

The core aims of this fantastic community outreach were clear is to ignite the flame of generosity and empathy during Ramadan, encourage student engagement in local volunteerism, and champion APU’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values of civic responsibility and unity. 

The packed meals were distributed by 40 (student) volunteers from the UCDF2408 intake, led by Mr Ragunathan Ayyavoo (Head of SoGS) and accompanied by SoGS lecturers, including Ms Vicknisha Balu (Project Lead), Mr Suresh S. Saminathan, Ms Munirah Salamat, Ms Neeshanti Rhamaroo, and Ms Jun Nazlia Hilwa Mohd. Ali. 

Packaged food and drinks are brought by students to be distributed to the proposed location. 

Armed with their thousand pre-packaged iftar meals, they set about distributing them to commuters, travellers, and the public passing through the terminal. 

“The volunteers displayed exemplary teamwork, discipline, and compassion throughout. 

“They were the backbone of the operation, handling everything from the initial packing and careful transportation of the meal packages to the on-site distribution and even the post-event clean-up,” said Mr Ragunathan. 

The response from the public was nothing short of overwhelming, with countless recipients sharing heartfelt expressions of gratitude and appreciation. 

Beyond its immediate ESG impact, the Iftar On The Go event beautifully mirrored the essence of Ramadan which is best time for unity and mutual respect. 

“The volunteers themselves echoed a profound sense of fulfilment, gaining a deeper appreciation for the power and impact of community service,” said Ms Vicknisha. 

The Iftar On The Go event serves as a shining example of APU’s steadfast dedication to community engagement and student-driven social responsibility.