Empowering communities starts with creating opportunities — and QIU’s Centre for Research and Innovation’s collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia recently did just that by bringing together entrepreneurship, digital skills and traditional knowledge to support the Kensui Community Orang Asli in Baling, Kedah.
The three-day programme, organised under the RYTHM Foundation grant, was conducted for the Kensui Community Orang Asli in Baling, with the aim of uplifting and empowering the community through entrepreneurship, financial management, digital literacy, digital marketing and herbal product preparation.
Throughout the programme, participants took part in interactive workshops and hands-on activities that combined practical business knowledge with traditional herbal preparation techniques.
The workshops were facilitated by a dedicated team of academics and trainers, including Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tilagavati Subramaniam, Dr. Anna Arokia Nathen, Ms. Rajespari Kumar, Ms.Shamanee Murthi, Ms. Nabillah Rafidah Abdul Kadir, and Ms. Ummu Hani from the Centre for Research in Business and Social Sciences (CRBSS), together with Prof. Mahibub Mahamadsa Kanakal and Assoc. Prof. Abdullah Khan from the Centre for Pharmaceutical Product Development (CPPD).
Their collective expertise and commitment contributed to providing participants with valuable insights and practical skills in entrepreneurship, product innovation and community enterprise development.
The HOPE programme not only strengthened the community’s capacity to develop, manage and market their products but also promoted sustainable livelihoods and greater economic self-reliance.
By integrating modern digital tools with traditional knowledge and practices, the initiative created meaningful opportunities for longterm community development.
QIU remains committed to advancing inclusive education, community empowerment and collaborative partnerships that create meaningful and sustainable impact. The succesful implementation of the HOPE Programme in Baling marks an important step towards supporting resilient, self-sustaining communities and promoting holistic progress.
