Students from the Diploma in Psychology programme brought learning to life through a meaningful outreach session with the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association on 11 November.
The visit was part of the Biological Psychology module, giving students a chance to step outside the classroom and understand how psychological principles support real communities. The morning began with an uplifting talk titled “The Power of Positive Thinking in Parkinson’s Journey”, delivered by Valarmatdi. Her message of strength, optimism and emotional resilience deeply resonated with the participants, many of whom shared that the session left them feeling more hopeful and encouraged.
Students then led a series of interactive activities, including Simon Says, Power in Motion, Croquis work and Memory Card Games. These simple but purposeful exercises helped improve motor coordination, attention, memory and social interaction while creating a warm and lively atmosphere. As they guided each activity, students observed behavioural and cognitive responses, gaining hands-on insights directly connected to what they study in Biological Psychology.
More than 30 Parkinson’s patients took part, filling the space with laughter, conversation and a sense of genuine connection. Many requested a longer session next time, while caretakers described the activities as relaxing and emotionally comforting.
The Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association expressed their appreciation for the collaboration and welcomed future engagements involving talks, workshops and community-centred initiatives. For the students, it was a powerful reminder that psychology is not just a subject but a tool for compassion, understanding and meaningful impact.
This event is organised in support of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
