UCSI University, Malaysia

Be My Virtual Buddies

Be My Virtual Buddies (BMVB) program was creatively launched by Dynamic Youth primarily for building friendship with refugee communities and providing a platform for the refugee communities to share their thoughts and feelings.

This virtual buddy program brings together refugees and UCSI University students, and the general public to a fun, physical exercise, and interactive educational activities. The session is facilitated by trained BMVB members, and each small group of participants meets every Saturday for 6 weeks.

The immediate learning outcomes include improvement in physical fitness, life skills and positive habits. Through this engagement, UCSI University students and the public become more aware on the hardships faced by refugee communities. It also creates an opportunity for refugee students to understand the local and campus, community, and cultures, as well as inspiring them to pursue lifelong learning. Besides enhancing social well-being, this program also enhances emotional health, and this intentional initiative for wellness is fundamental especially during the COVID-19 lockdown.

What the Judges Thought

The judges welcomed this inspiring project with benefits to students and the refugee communities they are working with, fostering understanding, and enabling easier access to education, providing clear evidence of impact. 

What it Means to Win

“A Green Gown Award is the icing on the cake and a ringing endorsement of the good work that has been - and is currently being - done at UCSI.”

Professor Datuk Ir Ts Dr Siti Hamisah Binti Tapsir, Vice-Chancellor

Top 3 Learnings

1. We learned that engaging and empowering refugees benefits society at large.
2. We learned about refugees’ hardships, and the generation of creative and collaborative solutions to minimize societal problems.
3. We learned about the value of friendship with peers from diverse backgrounds and cultures.