One of USC’s flagship initiatives is the Kampung Angkat MADANI program, which adopts selected villages as living laboratories for sustainable development. Currently, Kg. Semera, Sadong Jaya has been designated as UNIMAS’s Kampung Angkat MADANI. Through this initiative, USC collaborates with the local community to co-create solutions that strengthen livelihoods, improve education, conserve the environment, and preserve cultural heritage—aligning with national development agendas and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Kg. Semera was selected in line with the government’s aspiration to focus on upgrading basic facilities in rural areas that require special attention, particularly in ensuring community well-being and inclusive development. The selection concept also considers the home villages of heads of government agencies at ministries and departments nationwide, as guided by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia.

According to UNIMAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Ahmad Hata Rasit, this approach encourages closer and more meaningful involvement of agency leaders in the development of their home communities. The designation of Kg. Semera carries even deeper significance, as it is also the birthplace of the Vice Chancellor himself - adding a symbolic dimension to UNIMAS’s commitment to give back to the roots where knowledge, values, and aspirations originate.

With a population of 4,660 people across 935 households, the community of Kg. Semera is diverse and vibrant. Residents are actively engaged in economic activities such as fisheries, agriculture, public and private sector employment, self-employment, and retirement livelihoods. This dynamism positions Kg. Semera as a community with strong potential that deserves sustainable development interventions.

The program is supported by strong collaboration with local authorities including the Resident’s Office of Samarahan Division, Asajaya District Office, and Sadong Jaya Sub-District Office, ensuring effective coordination and active community participation.

Beyond infrastructure and economic empowerment, UNIMAS has also partnered with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions such as ADTEC (Department of Human Resources, Kota Samarahan Campus) and Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS) to upgrade KEMAS kindergartens in Kg. Semera into STREAM-based preschools (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics). This initiative not only enhances early childhood education in rural areas but also nurtures interest in science and technology from a young age, while embedding religious and cultural values.

Through these multi-faceted efforts, Kg. Semera is envisioned to become a model community for sustainable rural transformation demonstrating how university-community partnerships can deliver long-term impact at the grassroots level.