Social innovations by UiTM in Merbok now on the world map

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Kedah Branch Campus, Malaysia had been represented by two social innovation projects at the 2nd SEASIN Event (South East Asian Social Innovation Network Event) with the theme Shaping Futures- New Ways for Universities to Make Change Happen which was funded by the European Consortium ERASMUS+ Programme of the European Union. The first project was entitled Unveiling the Critical Success Factors in Generating Income of Rural Community; Sustainable Community Engagement Model which was presented by Dr Marzlin Marzuki and Syazliyati Ibrahim; and the second project which was entitled Restructure Society to Correct Economic Imbalances via Nipa Leaves Mid-rib stick was presented by Prof Dr Maznah Wan Omar, Asrol Hasan and Nazirul Mubin Mohd Noor. Both projects had managed to help the village communities in Merbok, a quaint area in Kedah, to learn how to develop their entrepreneurial potentials at the micro level by utilising the resources in their surroundings. This two-days meet-up at Pathuwan Princess Hotel, Bangkok from 8-9 October 2019 showcased a variety of innovation projects which aimed to advance innovative ideas conducted by universities, NGOs and industries to help improve the livelihoods of the marginalised and underprivileged communities. This social innovation network event which brought together social innovators from 8 HEIs and 15 international partners and social innovation practitioners headed by Glasgow Caledonian University, had enabled exchanges of ideas and future directions in social innovation initiatives. Such efforts were undertaken by all those parties mentioned earlier to pave the ways for more sustainable income generation by the grassroot communities.