Warna Kasih programme fosters inclusion through art at UiTM Seri Iskandar

This article documents and analyzes the execution of the "Warna Kasih: Ikat & Celup" Community Programme, an initiative successfully concluded by 94 Diploma in Fashion Design students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seri Iskandar. Organized under the framework of the Service-Learning Malaysia - University for Society (SULAM) initiative for the Fashion Management (FES253) module, this community-based learning project was conducted in collaboration with the Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI) of SMK Seri Iskandar. The one-day programme integrated academic knowledge with civic engagement by introducing 48 special needs students to the fundamentals of tie-dye textile art (ikat & celup). Through collaborative hands-on mentoring sessions, the initiative functioned as a transformative platform to enhance artistic expression, self-confidence, and social inclusion among the participants, while simultaneously developing essential leadership, teamwork, and communication skills among university students. The successful implementation of this programme underscores the strategic role of fashion education in fostering inclusive social practices and cultivating socially responsible creative leaders.