Child and Adolescent Learning and Wellbeing Centre (CALW)

About CALW

Child and Adolescent Learning and Wellbeing Centre (CALW@UNIMAS)

[Kota Samarahan, Sarawak] – 24 October 2024 was a significant day at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) as it proudly announced the establishment of the Child and Adolescent Learning and Wellbeing Centre (CALW@UNIMAS), a pioneering interdisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing research and innovation in child and adolescent learning, development, and wellbeing. CALW@UNIMAS aims to become the region's leading resource for improving children's and adolescents' learning and overall wellbeing.

CALW@UNIMAS employs a systemic approach, recognizing the interconnected nature of learning, development, and wellbeing. The Centre fosters collaboration among educators, therapists, and researchers to create supportive environments where every child can thrive. Research at CALW@UNIMAS focuses on two key areas:

1) Atypical Learners and Children with Learning Loss: CALW@UNIMAS is unwavering in its commitment to understanding the learning processes of all children, with a specific focus on those with learning difficulties, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and pandemic-induced learning loss.

2) Wellbeing of Atypically Developing Children and Adolescents: The Centre is dedicated to addressing the holistic wellbeing of children facing diverse challenges, emphasizing the interconnectedness of learning and wellbeing.

CALW@UNIMAS offers a comprehensive platform consolidating expertise in child development, educational psychology, learning sciences, clinical psychology, counselling, special education, neuroscience, and educational technology. This integrated approach allows the Centre to tailor its methods to meet diverse community members’ needs effectively. The Centre actively develops innovative teaching tools and interventions, particularly for children with learning difficulties.

After the launch event, four (4) information-sharing sessions took place in the Main Meeting Room, Level 1, at the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, UNIMAS. We were honoured to have the following experts from UNICEF Malaysia (Ms. Azlina Kamal), the President of the Dyslexia Association of Sarawak (Dr. Haironi Yusof), the Director of the Centre for Inclusive Research on Community and Disability, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Dr. Hasrul Hosshan), and the Kuching Association of Talent Development and Welfare of Special Needs (Mdm Lim Mei Yek) to share with our staff, students, and parents experiences and lessons learned from the field and research opportunities that CALW could pursue in the near future.

CALW - News and Highlights

Our CALW UNIMAS team had an eye-opening visit to OSEIC Sarawak on June 26, 2025! Huge thanks to Dato' Dr. Hjh Saadiah, Encik Mohamad, and the amazing therapists who showed us how early intervention excellence can change young lives. Excited for future collaborations! #CALW #OSEIC #EarlyIntervention #Sarawak

CALW UNIMAS DELEGATION VISITS OSEIC SARAWAK TO STRENGTHEN EARLY-INTERVENTION PARTNERSHIP

Kota Samarahan,1 July 2025 — A six-member delegation from the Child and Adolescent Learning and Wellbeing Centre (CALW), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), paid a visit to the One-Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC) Sarawak on June 26, 2025.

Led by Associate Professor Dr Julia Lee, the CALW team included Dr Jamayah binti Saili, Dr Nurfaizatul Aisyah binti Ab Aziz, Dr Janet Fernandez, Dr Siti Atiyah binti Ali, and Mdm Ross Azura binti Zahit. Dr Nurul Hanim binti Nasaruddin was the visit coordinator. The CALW team was warmly received by the OSEIC Sarawak leadership and therapy team.

OSEIC Sarawak Representatives	Designation
Dato’ Dr Hjh Saadiah Binti Abdul Samat	General Manager / Advisor
Encik Mohamad Bin Arsat	Deputy General Manager
Ms Nur Afifah Binti Idriani	Occupational Therapist
Ms Nur Inezza Ashrina Binti Abing	Occupational Therapist
Ms Sharifah Syazwani Binti Wan Habib Su’aidi	Occupational Therapist

The half-day programme included a guided tour of OSEIC’s activity rooms, sensory integration rooms, Snoezelen room, and hydrotherapy pool, followed by a round-table discussion on:

The vision, mission, and objectives of both OSEIC and CALW
Early diagnosis, intervention, and rehabilitation services provided by OSEIC for children with special needs
Best practices in community-based service delivery
Joint opportunities for research, early diagnosis initiatives, and awareness programmes in Sarawak

The visit provided the CALW team with invaluable insights into the comprehensive, child-centred approach adopted by OSEIC. It also served as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering future collaboration in advancing research and service delivery related to early diagnosis, intervention, and inclusive practices for children with special needs across Sarawak.

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