Written by: Alissya Nazir
Edited by: Nadya R.
In many established universities, undergraduate students have innumerable options for pursuing their interests and joining clubs with different niches. International Islamic University of Malaysia is one of the universities with a pool of clubs catering to larger communities and hobbies that can be experiential for every student. There is always something for everyone.
However, it is worth addressing that behind every program planned in the yearly almanack and every smile captured in cameras, there is a weighty struggle for student volunteers. Often, the most common struggle is time management—balancing between studies and club responsibilities. Some programs may be heavier than others, such as going to 4-day, 3-night programs in local indigenous villages, but it remains the fact that a secondary workload must be carried. Thus, students must be mindful of how many programs they join and create an efficient plan for themselves.
Another challenge is dealing with different stakeholders within IIUM or external parties. This is where problems like miscommunication arise where expectations are not stated clearly and delayed responses occur. In the long run, it troubles the flow of the program.
Reflectively, as a once-line-up of a club, I have dealt with difficult management that made it harder for students to run their programs as planned where the external stakeholders were not punctual with the timing agreed during the discussion. This not only affects the program but also the committee’s mental and spirit to keep going or not. What is crucial here is to have a strong support system within the program to help elevate the mood and remember the initial goal.
Furthermore, IIUM has an official club that cares about the welfare of cats, known as Abu Hurairah, in which their niche is distinctive from other club communities. This difference makes their struggle more unique, as their target involves living beings with no intellect. Recently, they have launched a neutering project called “Snip and Save” for selected cats in IIUM in weekly phases, which is an independent collaboration with Nadia Veterinary Clinic.
“We had constraints in terms of manpower, venue to put the boarding cats, and transportation to the vet,” shared by the president of Abu Hurairah Club, Arman Sobri, in a personal interview.
Credit: Abu Hurairah Club’s Instagram Poster
Essentially, this shows that many parties, especially upper management, need to encourage and support student volunteerism rather than neglecting their restrictions from achieving their goals. When upper management prioritises volunteerism and allocates resources towards its development, it sends a clear message that student contributions are valued. This sense of support not only motivates students to continue volunteering but also enhances their sense of belonging and purpose within the organisation. Hence, a proactive and supportive leadership approach can lead to a thriving volunteering culture, benefiting both students and the communities they serve.
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