Syarifah Nursyafiqah

As Community Service Director of Sunway College Student Council (2019-2020), I revelled in the challenge of leading initiatives that reflected Sunway's pillars of Giving (3Ts) - Time, Talent and Treasure. Witness the power of unity in action: our #KitaJagaKita campaign, for instance, through fundraising events and online donations, raised RM1.5k for Mercy Malaysia's Covid-19 relief fund in just two weeks, embodying SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being. Beyond mere roses, our Valentine's Day campaign "Beyond Roses" championed SDG 15 - Life on Land, raising RM1k for the Australian wildfires through the Australian Red Cross and wires.org.au. These experiences were testaments to the transformative power of collective action - small steps leading to a significant impact.

Leadership, I discovered, isn't just about titles. It's about inspiring resilience, fostering collaboration, and igniting the spark of change in others. At Sunway, cherished values aren't mere words; they are the very pulse of the community.

Now, as a graduate, I still carry with me its resounding values in all my endeavours. I am a member of Parliwomen, a youth-led organisation empowering women to take their rightful place in Malaysian politics. One of my proudest moments was moderating a session with two inspiring women in politics who hold the spirit of giving back dear to their hearts as well: YB Anfaal Saari and YB Jamaliah Jamaluddin. We discussed the unique challenges and triumphs of women in politics which contribute towards SDG 5: Gender Equality. Their journeys and perspectives were a masterclass in courage and determination.

Speaking of perspectives, The Times Higher Education: Asia Universities Summit also recently offered me a platform to share how my time at Sunway and Lancaster ignited my passion for sustainability and environmental health. This passion blossomed into my startup (@moonbyhosh) focused on organic, sustainable menstruation products, tackling period poverty in Malaysia, supporting SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. Ensuring all women have access to safe, eco-friendly period products is a mission close to my heart.

As a strong believer in the power of education and knowledge sharing, I was honoured to be invited by the Sunway University Student Council to share my experiences and advice as a former Chancellors Scholar of Sunway University and Lancaster University with aspiring and current scholars through their official platforms. 

However, the symphony of giving isn't confined to Sunway's walls as I was also given the chance to welcome Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, CEO and Warden of Rhodes Trust, Oxford University, and Ms. Frewyeni Kidanie, Director of Advancement and Engagement for the Rhodes Trust, during their visit to Sunway University alongside my fellow scholars. Together, we had a stimulating exchange of ideas, focusing on the critical importance of equity and opportunity in education access, particularly for underserved communities. We discussed how we could leverage on our experiences and positions to advocate for a more just education system as well as contribute to more educational support for those in need, aligning with SDGs 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This experience truly reinforced the power of collaboration across borders and institutions to make a global impact.

Let's continue to compose our symphony of giving. Each act of kindness, big or small, adds a note of hope and progress to the collective purpose. Become an agent for change, and together, we can create a culture of giving that echoes for generations to come. If you're interested to connect and discuss more on this, please feel free to reach out to me at shaynorazman@gmail.com or linkedin.com/in/syarifah-nursyafiqah-syed-norazman-08395a177