COMMUNITY-related initiatives have always been at the forefront of Canon Marketing Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s (Canon) objectives. In line with this, the company’s corporate social responsibility drive recently saw 25 schools in the Klang Valley getting 10,000 copies of The Star free, under its F123/F4F5 sponsorship drive.

The sponsorship pledge ceremony was recently held at Canon’s head office at Peremba Square in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Canon president and chief executive officer, Liew Sip Chon, announced that the company was excited by the opportunity to be part of a student’s learning development.

All smiles at the pledge ceremony are Wan, Liew, Balkis and Lee (second, third, fourth and fifth from left, respectively), pictured here with students from SMK Subang Jaya.

“The Star provides valuable information on a wide range of topics daily. It can be used as a tool for teaching numerous skills to various age groups and in many different disciplines.

“Providing students with this learning tool will help them connect classroom lessons to the real world,” Liew told students from one of the recipient schools, SMK Subang Jaya, Seksyen 14, Petaling Jaya, in Selangor.

The group of eight students and two teachers, Wan Loke Ann and Lee Phaik Hua, were later taken on a tour of Canon’s facilities at the office. The students learnt about the Kyosei principle it practises, which advocates that people, regardless of race, religion or culture, live and work harmoniously together to build a better future for generations to come.

Liew recounted how he had received his first issue of The Star when he was 13. He believes that newspapers sharpen students’ thinking skills, and increase their interest and motivation levels by providing study material relevant to their lives.

“We hope that this sponsorship will help students stay abreast of what is happening around them in the world, and help them develop a positive outlook to face challenges in life,” Liew said.

Also present at the ceremony was the Petaling Perdana district education office Language Unit head, Balkis Ahmad.

“The NiE programme has grown tremendously over the past 10 years. Today, there are many different sections in the newspaper, catering to diverse interests,” said Balkis.

“With the newspaper, teachers have a wealth of resources at their fingertips.”

Balkis pointed out that a teacher can actually teach History, Mathematics and Science with just a newspaper in hand.

“All the teacher needs to do is to modify activities and be creative,” she added.

Other schools that benefit from the sponsorship are SMK Seksyen 9, SMK Seksyen 11, SMK Seksyen 16, SMK Seksyen 24 (2), SMK Seksyen 27, all from Shah Alam, Selangor.

The schools in PJ that will also be receiving the F123/F4F5 pullout under Canon’s sponsorship are SMK Assunta, SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4, SMK Sri Pantai, SMK USJ 23, SMK Bukit Jelutong, SMK (L) Bukit Bintang, SMK Kelana Jaya, SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 3 and SMK Kota Damansara Sekyen 4.

Kuala Lumpur schools which benefit include SMK Dharma, SMK Bandar Kinrara, SMK Sri Indah, SM Agama Batu 10 Cheras, SMK Saujana Impian, SMK Vivekananda, SMK Bukit Bandaraya, SMK Sri Hartamas, SMK Bukit Rahman Putra and SMK Sri Kundang.

The Star’s F123 pullout offers 40 pages of syllabus-based content, learning tips and enrichment exercises, translations of common scientific terms, activities related to real-life phenomena as well as informative and interesting topics for general knowledge.

-BeN