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On 11 and 12 December 2025, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) brought the year to a meaningful close with Echoes of Winter, a two-day winter-themed celebration organised by the APU Community Engagement (ACE) team. 

More than a festive gathering, the event was thoughtfully designed to align with APU’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspirations by fostering inclusivity, compassion and responsible community support, while directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

At its core, Echoes of Winter sought to spread year-end cheer among students and staff while fundraising for vulnerable groups and causes. The campus was transformed into a vibrant winter wonderland, where creativity, interaction and shared joy became powerful tools for social good. This dual focus on celebration and charity reflected SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating how collaboration between students, NGOs and the wider campus community can generate tangible impact. 

One of the event’s main attractions was a two-day bazaar featuring an array of vendors offering food, beverages and unique merchandise. Beyond energising campus life, the bazaar supported SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by providing small vendors and entrepreneurs with opportunities to engage directly with the university community. 

A particularly heartwarming highlight was the “Donate 2 Pet” booth, where ACE collaborated with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Cats from the shelter were brought onto campus, and visitors were invited to donate in exchange for spending time with them. All proceeds went towards supporting the shelter’s ongoing animal welfare efforts, reinforcing commitments to SDG 15 (Life on Land) through advocacy for ethical treatment and care of animals.

Day One began with a scented candle-making workshop, offering participants a calm, creative space to unwind while crafting personalised keepsakes. As evening approached, the atmosphere shifted to lively collaboration with a gingerbread house decorating contest, where teams showcased creativity and teamwork. The winning team received RM150, adding a light-hearted competitive spirit to the festivities.

The gingerbread activity carried deeper social significance with the participation of 10 children from House of Joy, an orphanage supporting underprivileged children. Each child was given RM50 to spend freely at the bazaar, treated to a campus tour, presented with goodie bags, and awarded RM100 in prize money for their creations. This initiative directly advanced SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), ensuring the children experienced not only festive joy but also dignity, choice and meaningful inclusion.

The event concluded on Day Two with an immersive murder mystery game, where participants collaborated as detectives to solve a fictional case. Three teams successfully uncovered the culprit, sharing RM500 in prize money, while strengthening problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills—key competencies aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Reflecting on the initiative, ACE Treasurer Renuga Anamalay shared, “It was truly meaningful to witness how every contribution, no matter how small, came together to support multiple causes. Managing the funds behind Echoes of Winter reinforced the importance of transparency and careful planning in turning festive activities into genuine, positive community impact.”

ACE President Himajasri Nedumaran concluded, “After months of planning and coordination, seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and participants made every effort worthwhile. As we reflect on 2025, ACE has grown significantly in its impact, and with the same passion and spirit, we look forward to carrying this momentum into 2026 and beyond.”

Through Echoes of Winter, APU demonstrated how student-led initiatives can meaningfully advance ESG values and the SDGs—proving that celebration, when guided by purpose, can leave a lasting legacy of compassion and positive change. 

Over the year, under the mentorship of its Advisor, Ms Abbhirami Sivarajan, ACE volunteered 26 times with 10 NGOs and contributed RM40,000 to charitable causes, demonstrating sustained community engagement beyond one-off initiatives and advancing SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).