Thirty women from the local community gained practical soap-making and entrepreneurship skills through the MSI Ke Desa: Women Empowerment and Product-Making Workshop.
Organised by Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL MSI), it was held on 19 June 2026 at Kampung Aman, Jitra, Kedah.
Led by UniKL MSI’s Centre for Women Advancement and Leadership (CWAL) with support from staff members of the Mechanical Section, the community engagement programme provided participants with hands-on knowledge that could be used for personal needs or developed into small-scale income-generating activities.
The initiative was funded by Yayasan UniKL under the Inclusive Youth Leadership Knowledge Transfer and Community Empowerment Grant 2026.
It was conducted in collaboration with Kelab Wanita Ikon Malaysia (KWIM) Kedah and Persatuan Ibu Tunggal Kubang Pasu.
During the workshop, participants learned the basic processes involved in handmade soap production, including simple product-development techniques using readily available materials.
The practical session encouraged creativity, self-confidence, lifelong learning and the development of entrepreneurial skills.
The programme also featured an inspirational sharing session by Aznor Aziz, a finalist of Kedah Women’s Icon (Ikon Wanita Kedah), who spoke about her entrepreneurial journey and experience in the handmade soap industry.
Her sharing provided participants with insights into transforming practical skills into marketable products and exploring opportunities in entrepreneurship and community-based economic activities.
As a pilot project under the MSI Ke Desa initiative, it reflects UniKL MSI’s commitment to women’s empowerment, inclusive education and the transfer of university knowledge to local communities.
The initiative also supports sustainable community development by widening access to practical learning, encouraging economic participation and strengthening collaboration between the university and community organisations.
Through community outreach programmes such as MSI Ke Desa, UniKL continues to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
