Malaysian students experience volunteering and entrepreneurship at Lancaster University

High fliers from one of Lancaster University’s academic partners- Sunway College, Malaysia – have visited the Lancaster campus. There are now over 1,000 students studying on the Lancaster/Sunway dual programmes. Students study in Malaysia and are awarded a degree from both Sunway and Lancaster.

The students came to get a glimpse of campus life and learn about the culture of volunteering and entrepreneurship at Lancaster from LUSU involve, Lancaster University’s Student Union’s award-winning volunteering and enterprise wing. The group, which included two Chancellors’ Scholars, visited departments relevant to their studies, worked with local school children on community projects and met UK students who have volunteered abroad.

The Chancellors’ Scholarships are offered in the names of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Foundation Chancellor of Sunway University College and Sir Chris Bonington, Chancellor of Lancaster University, to commemorate the affiliation between Sunway University College and Lancaster University.

The Scholarships include a funded two week visit to Lancaster University during the final year of studies. 2011 Scholarship students were Lee Ker Ching, studying Accounting and Finance and Vanessa Ong studying Psychology. Students Kisheenjeet Dhillon, Sonia Lim, Aruna Puspalingam and Nicholas Goh also visited the University.

Sunway University College Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Lancaster University established an academic partnership in 2006. Students at the Sunway campus are able to study for undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, IT, and Psychology. Masters programmes began in August 2009 and an executive programme for the Sunway Group leading to a Certificate of Achievement began in November 2009.

Lancaster University has the largest level of active student volunteering of any UK university. Last year, 1,200 of the University’s students took part in volunteering projects to help communities across the North West of England.

LUSU involve, which is supported by the Students’ Union and Lancaster University , offers students worthwhile and interesting volunteering and enterprise opportunities. Students deliver community, environmental and enterprise work across the North West.

Lancaster believes that volunteering helps to enhance and develop the student experience whilst also widening the scope of employability options. With a range of enterprise support and a large number of both community and environmental volunteering available to Lancaster students, LUSU involve is one of the leading volunteering units in Higher Education institutions in the UK.

Lancaster University Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings said: “Entrepreneurship is embedded in Lancaster’s culture and students can take advantage of opportunities such as visiting inspirational speakers, support for business ideas and start-ups, student placements and a rolling programme of entrepreneurship workshops. Students are under pressure to perform well academically and to do more to beef up their pre-employment CVs to make themselves more attractive in the job market.