UKEChange
Introduction to UKEChange
At UKEC, we want our unique brand of student activism and nation-building to take on a more proactive form. We aim to inspire, enable and influence Malaysia’s brightest minds to come together and play a role in tackling real issues.
Through UKEChange, we seek passionate talents to produce tangible results and demonstrable responses to some of Malaysia’s most pressing issues in hopes to ignite a new wave of creative, innovative and socially responsible Malaysia.
We focus on the feasibility and follow-through of participants’ proposed solutions. Our strong emphasis on implementation is what makes UKEChange exclusive; with a robust multi-stage process that encourages student development through workshops and professional and personalised mentoring, amidst a competitive backdrop.
Key Features of UKEChange
UKEChange is a development programme
UKEChange promotes continuous improvement among our participants. Our main objective is to equip them with the necessary guidance from the right network. The programme’s prolonged timeline ensures that sufficient support and ample time frame is given to participants in order to refine and develop their ideas into a tangible difference.
Thoughtfully-derived real problems
The Problem Statements presented to participants go beyond hypothetical scenarios. Rather, they were carefully formulated by Members of Parliament from their respective constituencies, who seek the potential and talent of Malaysia’s youth.
Professional guidance and personalised mentoring
Workshops will be held for participants to explore the Problem Statements in more depth, alongside learning how to produce an outstanding proposal. Teams with the most promising proposals will be connected to mentors who, over the span of three months, will offer advice on further refining these proposals.
Problem Statements
The problem statements are challenges proposed by Members of Parliament (MPs) around Malaysia who seek your energy and potential in driving change to their constituencies.
You can choose to tackle one of our two themes this year:
1. Upgrading Pengerang into a Free Trade Zone (FTZ)
2. Developing Sustainable Solutions to Bridge the Education gap
For the first problem statement, you are tasked to focus your proposed solutions solely on Pengerang, Johor. While the second problem statement is given as an option between either Bandar Kuching, Sarawak or Muar, Johor.
Click on the following to find out more
Developing sustainable solutions to bridge the education gap
Upgrading Pengerang into a Free Trade Zone | Pengerang, Johor
Situated at the tip of Johor as one of the most strategic locations in Malaysia for trade and tourism, is Pengerang. The district would be able to reap incredible economic benefits should it be upgraded into a free-trade zone (FTZ). With the connectivity between Pengerang and Singapore, Batam and Bintan Islands, as well as the upcoming Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal which is expected to receive 10,000 passengers in the second half of 2021, the local economy can indeed thrive, and potentially increase the country’s foreign direct investment, should it be upgraded. However, Pengerang currently lacks the general public service infrastructure it needs to prosper.
Your challenge: Should you be in a position to plan Pengerang’s development, how would you do so in order to embrace its potential and vital role in boosting the local economy?
Developing sustainable solutions to bridge the education gap | Bandar Kuching, Sarawak and Muar, Johor
The implementation of MCO/CMCO has significantly impeded education for many Malaysians. Students have had less than 4 months of schooling last year – nearly a year of education lost. Whilst schools have transitioned to online classes, those who are either poor or live in rural areas face challenges such as not having good internet connectivity or are unable to afford the necessary gadgets. If this issue is not tackled, these students will find it hard to catch up, or eventually lose interest to continue studying all together and drop out.
There are many initiatives to tackle these challenges but there is a need to think of more sustainable solutions. For example, providing laptops for students are essential but are often very costly – are there more cost-effective solutions? Think also about the training that students and parents who are digitally illiterate need, as well as their accessibility to learning materials.
This is such a pertinent issue that two separate MPs have proposed for us to tackle this issue on two separate occasions. Should you choose to tackle this problem statement, you can choose to tackle it in Bandar Kuching, Sarawak, or in Muar, Johor. Whilst the challenges are similar, the solutions you propose might look very different in order to tailor it specific to each constituency . Take into consideration the local context as much as possible.
Your challenge: How do we bridge the education gap in a way that is sustainable?
Your UKEChange Journey
Participant Eligibility
- UKEChange is open to all undergraduate university students, pre-university students, and students taking a gap year.
- The first submission form can be submitted as a team or as an individual.
- However, the final proposal (due on 11 April 2021) can only be submitted as a team of 3 to 5 members. Each team must consist of a majority of Malaysians.
- The idea development stage will be a chance for individual participants to network and voluntarily form their teams, or add more members to their initial team. Otherwise, UKEC will also assist in assigning individuals into teams.
Submission Form
Click HERE to register!
UKEChange Sponsors
Coming Soon