NEXTGEN ENGINEERS: EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES 

On June 5, 2024, the School of Civil Engineering at Universiti Teknologi MARA, in collaboration with PERKESO, successfully hosted the NEXTGEN ENGINEERS: EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES event at SK Salak Nama, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. Officiated by Encik Wan Kefli bin Hamid, Pengarah PERKESO Negeri Sembilan, the event was a resounding success, marking the fourth iteration of this impactful road safety initiative.

The program featured a series of hands-on workshops, including the Road Safety Awareness Programme, the "London Bridge Won't Be Falling Down" bridge design activity, and the "Float or Sink" scientific experiment. These engaging sessions provided students with fundamental road safety knowledge, encouraged creativity, and promoted scientific inquiry. The "Introduction to 3R: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" session educated students on the importance of sustainability, offering practical tips and activities to integrate the 3Rs into their daily lives. To enhance learning, the program utilized interactive mobile applications and educational games, making the education process engaging and impactful for young students.

The event brought together university lecturers from UiTM, including Assoc. Prof. Dr.-Ing Masria Mustafa, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norhafezah Kasmuri, Ir. Muhd Salmizi Ja'afar, Ms. Nor Izzah Zainuddin and Ms. Liyana Mohd Ramly. 28 future engineers from the School of Civil Engineering UiTM, teachers, government agencies, NGOs, and industry professionals to underline a shared commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for children. The initiative involved 50 students aged 11 and 12 from five primary schools in rural areas and provided them with important information about road safety and resources. The ongoing collaboration with PERKESO since 2020 has been instrumental in expanding the reach of the programme and ensuring that more students in rural areas benefit from comprehensive road safety education.