On November 28, 2024, the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), in collaboration with Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, spearheaded a World Children’s Day community outreach program at SK Rangalau Baru, Tuaran. Organized for local primary school students and teachers, the event embraced the cultural theme "Legends and Myths of Malaysian Society" to promote health literacy, dietary wellness, and lifelong healthy eating habits among rural youth. The initiative combined university academic expertise with corporate hospitality resources to deliver interactive nutrition education in an engaging rural school setting.
The outreach program was organized as a collaborative effort between FSMP UMS, Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, and SK Rangalau Baru to celebrate World Children’s Day while addressing health literacy in rural Sabah. By blending nutritional science with local community engagement, the initiative sought to promote balanced diets and preventive health practices among young learners. The activity aligns closely with FSMP and UMS strategic priorities, emphasizing social responsibility, multi-sector partnerships, and the extension of university healthcare knowledge to underserved local communities.
Set against a vibrant backdrop where students and teachers showcased traditional folklore costumes, FSMP experts conducted interactive talks on balanced nutrition, live demonstrations on preparing healthy meals, and educational recreational games. These hands-on activities effectively translated complex nutritional guidelines into accessible, daily practices for primary school children. "By combining academic expertise with corporate partnership, UMS remains committed to extending essential health literacy beyond campus walls to empower rural youth," said Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Hasmadi Mamat, Dean of FSMP.
Looking ahead, this initiative establishes a replicable framework for community-based health advocacy that strengthens ties between academic institutions, corporate partners, and rural schools. This initiative directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by fostering healthy eating habits and raising dietary awareness among primary school children. Furthermore, it advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing practical health and life-skills education, supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by delivering specialized healthcare resources to underserved rural communities in Tuaran, and exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through multi-sectoral collaboration between UMS, Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, and local educational bodies.