UTS SOUL Award is a two-stage, extra-curricular social justice leadership and volunteering program that allows students to follow their passions to make social change beyond their degree.
2021 saw 350 UTS students assisting 325 organisations, with 13,500 hours student volunteering reached – a more than 40% increase on 2020 despite covid restrictions and lockdowns.
Masters of Project Management student Fahad Dewan Mohammad joined the UTS SOUL Award program in 2021. He wanted to engage with the community and develop his leadership skills, but ended up having life changing experiences.
Fahad was inspired by a colleague to volunteer for the State Emergency Service. He signed up just before severe flooding took hold in several parts of Sydney in early 2021, and he was soon called up to help.
Through heavy rain, Fahad and his fellow volunteers were briefed, geared up and navigated flooded roads to reach flood-affected homes and assist those inside to get medical help. They set up temporary relief tents, removed tree debris from houses and kept up communication with authorities and people in need of help.
Fahad experienced the most rewarding moment of SOUL Award experience in this high-stakes environment.
“After we rescued an old woman from her flooded home, she held my hand and said, ‘Now I will get to see another sunny day all because of you, my son!’
“That absolutely shook me and made me think how little initiatives can make big impacts on others' lives. I am lucky to have experienced this in my life because of UTS Soul.”
“The adrenaline rush, living in the moment, acting quickly and solving real life problems on the spot are some of experiences that I will never forget,” Fahad said.
“Sitting at home and hearing the news, you never can feel or realise the intensity or the duress people go through during difficult times. Being able to be out there in a team with the aim and focus to be in the front and play your role which consequently saves a family's life – it’s an experience I will never forget.”
Fahad says that UTS SOUL has also helped him to develop strong friendships, and grow as a person.
“The activities have helped me grow confidence – ethical leadership skills and communication skills, understanding of and a sense of belonging to a community, the ability to make positive impact even when you are alone, and most definitely further developed my knowledge about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and social issues affecting our communities.”