A Different Kind of CIP

Commonwealth Secondary School (CSS) students participated in an unusual community involvement programme (CIP) led by a group of students from Singapore Management University (SMU).

The programme, called Project SMUves, aimed to display the spirit of graciousness through exhibiting values such as courtesy, compassion, and civic-mindedness particularly in Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains through re-enacting real-life situations in the public space.

Workshop

The programme involved two main parts - the first one was a workshop and the second - the execution stage. During the former, SMU students taught CSS students skills such as Leadership and Teambuilding, Effective Management and Communication, Public Speaking and Confidence Building, Creative Thinking, and Events Planning. The workshop also prepared the secondary school students to act out the scenarios in public, which was the next part of the programme.

Casting Team
Casting Team
Casting Team

The casting team included students who would play the role of ungracious commuters and commuters who would correct their actions. The role-playing activity was carried out in actual public spaces and was meant to increase awareness particularly among MRT commuters.

Public Outreach Team

Other students were responsible of handing out flyers and educating the public about the project and its objective. They also asked the public to take part in a survey that aimed to find out more about their perspectives on graciousness in Singapore and the kinds of improvements they would like to see.

Publicity

Posters were posted on advertising boards to educate the public about Project SMUves' cause.

Execution

On 7 November 2009, the secondary school students took away with them skills and values that would positively impact the people around them, and the society as a whole.

But one execution wasn't enough for these passionate and determined youths! Another one was held around two months later, on 16 January, 2010. Learning from their previous mistakes, the group managed to execute their scenarios more effectively. In fact, the students were met with applause and compliments from commuters, and interaction between the students and the public increased significantly.

Sustainability

To sustain this successful project, secondary four students from CSS will lead their secondary three school mates in their next execution.

The project was executed by SMU students Ker Zheng Xian, Ivan, Mabel, Sher Han, Michelle, Yvonne, Ken and Chang Hwan.