UniKL has formalised cooperation with Asrama Kasih, Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK) Selangor through the signing of Memorandum of Understanding aimed to open doors for the less fortunate students to pursue higher education at UniKL. The signing was held at Asrama Kasih, Serendah, Selangor on April 12, 2011. This collaboration signifies another Corporate Social Responsibility effort by UniKL.

The cooperation between UniKL and Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan was formed back in 2004 where UniKL played a role in assisting the less fortunate students and orphans in Asrama Kasih, Serendah to pursue higher education. Currently, a total of 140 students from Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan have been successful in pursuing their tertiary education in various UniKL branch campuses throughout peninsular Malaysia.

As a continuation of this success, UniKL moved a step forward to further strengthen this cooperation by signing the Memorandum of Understanding which particularly aimed to implement a program called " UniKL-YBK Technology Skills Development Programme" which would prepare and present opportunities to students from poor family backgrounds of Asrama Kasih to enhance their skills, knowledge and qualifications to meet the needs of the industrial sector.

UniKL will also undertake joint programmes and activities with Asrama Kasih such as motivation camp, SPM workshop, examination seminar and English Language Learning Programme to develop students in Asrama Kasih.

UniKL President/CEO, Y. Bhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hakim Juri executed the signing of the MoU with Chairman of Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan, Y. Bhg. Dato’ Haji Zainal Abidin Sakom, witnessed by UniKL Deputy President (Academic & Technology), Y. Bhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Azemi Mohd Noor and Chairman of Asrama Kasih, Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan, Y. Bhg. Datin Hajjah Hartini Osman.

In his speech, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hakim highlighted that students of Asrama Kasih who pursue higher education with UniKL will be equipped with knowledge and skills. Coupled with positive values that they have acquired during the years spent in Asrama Kasih, they will have a holistic development which is highly essential for them to face the challenging world today.

Chairman of YBK, Dato’ Haji Zainal emphasized in his speech, that the power of knowledge is the only means which can alleviate and changes one’s social status. He encouraged students to be adventurous in exploring various opportunities upon their completion of study and not to be dependant solely of joining the public or private sector as a means of their income. He also placed on record his highest appreciation to UniKL for the effort made by the university to open its doors to students of Asrama Kasih.

Cadets of Asrama Kasih marching in during the ceremony

In conjunction with the MoU signing, the ceremony also witnessed 21 students of Asrama Kasih were given their offer letters to pursue their studies in Foundation (offered in Kolej MARA Kuala Nerang) and Diploma programmes at UniKL campuses namely, UniKL Malaysian Institute of Industrial Technology (UniKL MITEC), UniKL Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL RCMP), UniKL Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (UniKL MICET), Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (MIIT) UniKL City Campus, UniKL British Malaysian Institute (UniKL BMI) and UniKL Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL MSI).

Also present at the ceremony were Y. Bhg. Datin Sharifah Ahmad, Chairman of Jambor Sakti, Y. Bhg. Mr. Zulkhairi Khairuddin, CEO of Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan and Tuan Haji Abdul Latiff Hussain, Principal of Asrama Kasih.