By UOW Malaysia 

On 16 March 2026, 6 students from the Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Public Relations program at UOW Malaysia brought sustainability to life through their campaign, “Rescue a Meal,” held at the USJ 4 Ramadan Bazaar in Subang Jaya. Organised in collaboration with What a Waste, and attended by Ms Suzie Lagis, Senior Lecturer at UOW Malaysia, and Mr Alvin Chen, Co-Founder and COO of What a Waste (WaW), the initiative highlighted the urgent issue of food waste while demonstrating practical solutions through food rescue.

Volunteers, including 12 UOW Malaysia students, worked on the ground to distribute surplus produce from local farmers to 30 bazaar vendors. The team focused on rescuing unsold food and redirecting it to communities in need, helping to reduce food waste while supporting vulnerable groups. This initiative aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Beyond its immediate impact, the campaign raised awareness among students about food waste issues in Malaysia and introduced food rescue as a key component of the circular economy. More importantly, it encouraged students to view surplus food not as waste, but as a valuable community resource. The campaign also provided a meaningful learning experience, showcasing how public relations can drive behavioural change, foster partnerships, and support sustainability. “Rescue a Meal” stands as a strong example of youth-led action contributing to a more responsible and compassionate society.