12 Nov 2025
RANAU: Axiata Foundation continues its commitment to supporting equitable and accessible education through the Axiata Foundation Back to School Programme, which has benefitted 1,000 secondary school students from communities across Ranau district, Sabah, in preparation for the 2026 academic year.
Axiata Foundation has been actively supporting local communities in Sabah through various initiatives anchored on its three core pillars Education, Community Investments and Environment. Among its ongoing efforts, Axiata Foundation collaborated with the Sabah Social Entrepreneurs Association (SOSEA) to empower rural communities through sustainable livelihoods, skills development, and income-generation initiatives.
It also partnered with Pandai Education to enhance digital learning access for B40 students through premium app subscriptions, and with Hopes Malaysia to improve access to clean water in Kota Belud via the Gravity Water Project, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The continued implementation of the Back to School Programme reflected Axiata Foundation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening educational access and inclusivity, especially among B40 households, through the distribution of school essentials to students.
The official launch ceremony, held on 10 November 2025 at SJKC Pai Wen, marked a significant milestone in the foundation’s efforts to expand its programme reach in Borneo. A total of 1,000 students from five schools SMK Mat Salleh, SMK Kundasang, SMK Ranau, SMK Lohan, and SMKA Mohamad Ali received complete school supply sets, including uniforms, shoes, socks, and learning tools such as geometry sets or scientific calculators.
This initiative was carried out in close collaboration with the Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (JPNS) and the Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Ranau (PPD Ranau).
As part of the programme, Axiata Foundation presented a mock cheque worth RM214,000 to PPD Ranau, representing the foundation’s contribution towards providing school supplies to the beneficiaries.
To date, the Axiata Foundation Back to School Programme has positively impacted at least 4,000 students nationwide, with a total investment of RM1.7 million channelled to support schooling preparations and build confidence among students.
Mohamad Kamal Nawawi
Chief Executive Officer of Axiata Foundation
Axiata Foundation’s core mission in Education is to provide quality learning opportunities that are equitable and inclusive for all students. We believe that Axiata Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the welfare and education of these children through the provision of targeted assistance and support.
The continued implementation of initiatives such as the Back to School Programme reflects Axiata Foundation’s commitment to empowering communities through education, while ensuring that students in rural areas like Sabah are not left behind.
Through these efforts, the Foundation aims to drive social and economic development across Malaysia in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
