SEGi recently hosted a thought-provoking event titled Thrive to Learn: Ceramah Mengurus Perpaduan Dalam Kepelbagaian, in collaboration with Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN). The event, attended by 31 diploma and degree students in Early Childhood Education (ECE), was more than a talk — it was a platform to empower students to become active contributors to national unity while preparing for meaningful careers in the education sector. By integrating community-focused learning with real-world practicum opportunities, SEGi continues to drive change aligned with global priorities.
The event highlighted Malaysia’s diverse cultural fabric and the essential role young educators play in nurturing unity from early childhood. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, 69.9% of Malaysians live in urban areas, creating an urgent need for early education institutions to promote inclusivity in multicultural environments. Tabika Perpaduan, a government initiative under JPNIN, plays a key role in this mission by offering quality preschool education with a focus on racial harmony and civic values.
As part of the session, a practicum placement collaboration was announced between SEGi and JPNIN. This partnership enables ECE students to gain hands-on experience in Tabika Perpaduan centres, where they will not only refine their teaching techniques but also internalise values of empathy, tolerance, and social responsibility. It’s an effort rooted in relevance, considering that UNESCO reports over 90% of brain development occurs before the age of five — making early childhood education a strategic point for long-term societal cohesion.
The talk also underlined the importance of active participation in fostering unity — shifting from passive tolerance to proactive inclusion. With over 137 ethnic groups in Malaysia, the ability to understand and appreciate diversity is not a soft skill, but a societal necessity. Speakers discussed the challenges of misinformation and social fragmentation, encouraging students to become agents of change through education, community outreach, and dialogue.
SEGi College Penang’s commitment to experiential learning has always gone beyond academics. This initiative reinforces the belief that education must equip learners with both technical competence and a strong sense of civic purpose. By collaborating with national institutions, SEGi bridges the gap between policy and practice — transforming classrooms into catalysts for peacebuilding, inclusion, and progress.
This event is organised in support of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions