Article Summary
Three IMU students, Syaarveeni Ashok, Kishoore A/L Vasu, and How Xing Xuan, were recognised as finalists of the AFLAME Student Award 2026 for their outstanding contributions to community engagement and social impact initiatives.
Key Highlights
- Three IMU students were recognised as finalists of the AFLAME Student Award 2026.
- Syaarveeni Ashok empowered more than 850 B40 children through literacy initiatives and educational workshops.
- Kishoore A/L Vasu led healthcare outreach programmes benefiting Orang Asli communities through health screenings, CPR training, nutrition education and environmental health activities.
- How Xing Xuan promoted preventive healthcare through health screenings, refugee outreach, elderly care visits, and nutrition education programmes.
- Their initiatives demonstrate how future healthcare professionals can create meaningful social impact through community engagement and service.
Driving Force Behind Initiatives Empowering Underserved Communities
At the heart of healthcare and community engagement lies compassion – the willingness to listen, serve, and create meaningful change within the lives of others. For three IMU students, this commitment became the driving force behind initiatives that empowered underserved communities through education, healthcare advocacy, and preventive health outreach.
Recognised as the finalist of AFLAME Student Award 2026, Syaarveeni Ashok and Kishoore a/l Vasu from the School of Medicine, and How Xing Xuan from the School of Health Sciences each demonstrated exceptional dedication towards serving communities beyond their academic pursuits.
Although their journeys and initiatives differed in focus, all three students shared a common purpose. They are using their knowledge, skills, and experiences to uplift communities and create meaningful impact beyond the classroom.
Syaarveeni Ashok: Literacy Initiatives and Educational Workshops
For Syaarveeni Ashok, life experiences inspired a strong passion for educational empowerment and community outreach.
Through The EduLab, a student-led social enterprise she co-founded, she championed literacy initiatives for underserved children, including ZING!, an interactive grammar card game that has benefited B40 children through workshops conducted nationwide.
Through more than 30 workshops conducted nationwide, the initiative has benefited over 850 B40 children across Malaysia.
“Community service wasn’t a choice I made — it was a response to something I couldn’t unsee,” she reflected.
Kishoore A/L Vasu: Healthcare Outreach Programmes Benefiting Orang Asli Communities
Meanwhile, Kishoore A/L Vasu focused much of his medical school journey on healthcare accessibility, preventive medicine, cancer awareness, and women’s health advocacy.
Through leading the Kampung Sebir Healthcare Project under IMU Cares, he worked closely with the Orang Asli community through initiatives involving health screenings, nutrition education, CPR training, and environmental health activities.
One experience that left a lasting impact on him was during a patient listening programme involving a gynaecological cancer patient, reminding him that healing often extends beyond clinical treatment.
“Being a healthcare professional is not only about clinical competence, but also about humanity, compassion, and social responsibility,” he shared.
How Xing Xuan: Promoting Preventive Healthcare
For How Xing Xuan, community engagement became an opportunity to bridge healthcare knowledge with practical community needs.
Throughout her journey, she participated in health screenings, refugee outreach programmes, elderly home visits, and nutrition education workshops focused on promoting preventive healthcare and empowering communities through nutrition education.
Her experiences strengthened her understanding that healthcare extends beyond treatment alone and requires healthcare professionals to adapt care according to the realities faced by different communities.
Through these engagements, she learnt the importance of listening actively, simplifying healthcare information, and providing practical guidance that fits individuals’ financial, cultural, and lifestyle circumstances.
“Healthcare is not only about treatment, but also about prevention and empowering communities with compassion and empathy,” she shared.
Reflecting the Values of Empathy, Resilience and Service
Through their diverse initiatives, Syaarveeni, Kishoore, and Xing Xuan demonstrated how healthcare and community engagement can work hand-in-hand to create meaningful change within society. Whether through education, preventive healthcare, or advocacy, each of them reflected the values of empathy, resilience, and service that lie at the heart of the AFLAME Student Award.
As they move forward into the next chapter of their journeys, these future healthcare professionals carry with them not only academic excellence, but also a strong commitment towards uplifting communities and serving humanity with compassion.
Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that meaningful change often begins with small acts of service, sincere human connection, and the courage to make a difference within the lives of others.
Working Closely with Underserved Communities
At IMU, students are encouraged to embrace experiential learning beyond the classroom through community engagement initiatives supported by IMU Cares, the Office of Community Engagement and Sustainability. By working closely with underserved communities through real-world outreach programmes, students are given opportunities to:
- Apply their knowledge
- Strengthen empathy
- Better understand the social realities that shape healthcare and well-being
What Is the AFLAME Student Award?
Established in 2012, the AFLAME Student Award recognises graduating IMU students who demonstrate outstanding compassion, leadership, and commitment to community service. The award highlights the importance of nurturing humane values in future healthcare professionals and celebrates students who actively contribute to society through meaningful service and engagement. Presented annually during IMU University Day, the award honours recipients who exemplify these values and invites them to share reflections on the importance of humane principles.
Thoughts Shared