Sustainable Health Promotion Participation Through Service Learning and Community Engagement In Higher Education: Lessons Learnt from the UKM DrPH Program
Rosnah Sutan
Abstract
Purpose:This study explores the role of service learning in achieving educational goals among Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) students at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and its impact on sustaining community empowerment and engagement initiatives.
Methodology:A community health intervention project was implemented over 4 years in Semenyih and Cheras, involving four cohorts of DrPH students. Enrolment in the elderly health module was an elective course under the family health discipline, with one of the learning outcomes requiring students to design and implement a community-based intervention informed by a situational analysis and needs assessment. A total of 76 students took part in the elderly health promotion projects. All students were required to submit a reflective report. All reports were analysed through qualitative document review.
Findings: Analysis revealed two major themes underpinning the integration of service learning with community engagement: (1) participatory action research and (2) capacity development. These themes were further explained through the application of social learning theory, the theory of planned behaviour, and self-determination theory, offering insights into student and community behavioural dynamics.
Conclusion:Embedding service learning within doctoral public health education fosters meaningful community engagement and strengthens capacitybuilding initiatives. This approach demonstrates potential for sustaining health promotion participation while simultaneously enhancing higher education outcomes.
