KUCHING: Polytechnic Kuching Sarawak (PKS) in an international collaboration with Polytechnic Bandung (POLBAN) conducted a Community Service Responsibility (CSR) programme at the Sarawak Society for the Blind (SSB) from December 15 to 16.
The initiative, led by students and lecturers from PKS’ Electrical Engineering Department, focused on electrical maintenance work aligned with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) skills.
PKS Head of the Electrical Engineering Department Aidawati Mustapha said the programme aims to ensure that electrical and wiring systems are designed with accessibility in mind to help the organisation comply with legal requirements.
“Aside from that, it is also to fulfil the ethical obligations to create an inclusive society while giving the visually impaired individuals at SSB to enhance their overall quality of life and promote equal opportunities.
“Having that in mind, PKS has donated three units of Closed-circuit television (CCTV), four industrial stand fans, and 25 units of bedsheets for the SSB residents,” she said in a statement today (Dec 16).
POLBAN contributed to the program by facilitating knowledge-sharing sessions and donating ‘smart canes’ — devices equipped with sensors that detect obstacles and provide feedback to users through vibrations and auditory signals.
POLBAN Head of the Research and Community Service Center Dr Yackob Astor stressed the importance of integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) into everyday objects, reducing accessibility barriers, and empowering visually impaired individuals.
“With that, the application of IoT and electrical maintenance works for SSB here is hoped to assist visually impaired individuals and raise awareness about the challenges faced by this community, and promote a greater understanding of their needs,” he said.
The programme was also attended by PKS Deputy Director of Academic Marlina Abdul Manaf, SSB chairman Ronald Law, PKS lecturers and students.
