On 18^th December 2021, the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE), led by Architect Nicole Hernandez, organized a mangrove tree planting and beach cleanup event in Port Dickson which was officiated by the Member of Parliament for Port Dickson, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Almost 100 VERITASians and their families attended the event and assisted in the planting. Principal Ng Yiek Seng gave the welcoming remarks.

The VFE initiated this project in-line with VERITAS’s core values to care for the environment. Mangroves are an essential part of the ecosystem that naturally connects the land and sea.  Apart from that they function as a frontline defense for people and property along the coasts.  In the wake of the recent disasters and flooding that have hit Malaysia, there is no better time than now to take care of our coastal environment.

On the 9^th and 10^th September, a team led by VFE President Zubair Hazni, along with six members from the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE), in collaboration with JOTUN, IJM, and ECOMy, visited Kampung Chuweh and Kampung Karagk at the Royal Belum Park in Perak. The team provided portable photovoltaic panels and artificial solar-powered lighting to the Orang Asli communities, who live without electricity. This initiative highlights VFE’s ongoing commitment to sustainable solutions that improve living conditions for indigenous populations in remote areas. By installing solar lighting, the team not only brought light to these homes but also enhanced the quality of life by extending evening activities, increasing safety and fostering a sense of security. This underscores VFE’s dedication to delivering practical, environmentally friendly solutions that make a meaningful difference to underserved communities.

On the 19th of December, over 100 VERITASians embarked on a significant environmental mission, planting trees in Sungai Siput, Melaka. This green endeavor, part of the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE) initiative, demonstrated our strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The initiative was graced by Datin Sapiah, Chairwoman of the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, emphasizing our collective dedication to environmental stewardship. Representing VERITAS was Landscape Principal Khalifah Jamaluddin, leading the team in this meaningful and eco-friendly undertaking.

VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE) President, Vigneswaran Mayachandran, alongside 10 VERITASians, actively engaged in planting the 100 trees generously donated by the VFE. This initiative reflects the fund's commitment to environmental stewardship and the collaborative efforts of Vigneswaran of VFE and Adam Faiz of VERITAS CARE. Notably, the scenic landscape of Bandar Bukit Raja was crafted by VERITAS Landscape, led by Associate Mahadi Katang.

On December 2023, Yayasan Feruni collaborated with the VFE in another initiative to raise awareness about climate change within our local community. Five children’s homes were shortlisted for Projek Mozek Charity Competition 2022 and each produced the Art for Love artwork using Feruni tiles. These artworks were auctioned. The monies raised will be channeled to the children’s home, creating a climate awareness program among the residents.

On November 2022, Projek Urban Hijau, is an initiative to promote awareness and education of environmental sustainability to disadvantaged children and youth. By collaborating with Yayasan Feruni which has affiliations with 7 orphanages, VFE introduced sustainable urban farming as a way to mitigate climate change. The Kasih Harmoni Paya Jaras home in Sg Buloh was chosen because it has a well-lit area and ample space for children to operate the hydroponic system. This initiative could potentially develop entrepreneurship skills among the young residents by selling fresh produce around their neighborhoods.

In conjunction with World Rivers Day, VERITASians took on the cleaning of a river in the Sepang District of Selangor including grass cutting and river trails among other activities to help beautify the environment on a Saturday morning, October 9^th 2021. This was organized by the VFE and VSSC with the help of the Kampung Dato’ Abu Bakar Baginda Community.

On 19^th September 2021, a group of VERITASians visited the beach of Pantai Cermin in Port Dickson for a beach cleaning activity and mangrove sapling collection. We were assisted by Andrew Sebastian from NGO EcoMY. We started with the beach cleanup at 10:30 am and within an hour, 1.5 km of beach was scoured and 16 large bags were filled with beach debris.  Fine weather made the activity fun for everyone, to add a challenge to the event individuals competed with each other for how much rubbish was collected!

Info!!
In Malaysia, over 50 per cent of total beach debris comes from recreational activities like picnics, festivals, sporting events and beach outings. Litter washed from streets, parking lots and storm drains also contribute to this category. Smoking-related activity also adds heavily to the rubbish found on the beach. We should all be more conscious of ourselves the next time we visit the beach!

VERITAS Design Group donated to DBKL RM 50,000 worth of personal protective equipment.
On 23^rd April 2020 the gifts were received by the Deputy Mayor Datuk Ibrahim Yusof from VERITAS Principal Azril Jaafar. Also attended VERITAS authority coordinator Harman Shaafi and Associate Dr. Miguel Robles who handles the VERITAS Fund for Excellence(VFE) at DBKL Pekeliling office to hand over the items. The VERITAS Fund for Excellence in Design Education (VFE) was founded in 2004 to further our core values of constant innovation, a commitment to design excellence and social responsibility towards the built environment. The covid-19 outbreak is an unprecedented event, which has deeply affected all of us.

VERITAS Donated Two Ventilator Units.
On April 2020 VERITAS came forward to help out the current pandemic crisis by donating two OptiFlow ventilator units to University Malaya Medical Centre. The ventilators will be used for Covid-19 patients in need of breathing aid.

On 19^th till 21^st August RIMAU-Menraq project was held in the Belum Royal Park, Perak. To protect the natural environment of the highly endangered Malayan Tiger, the VFE contributed to an NGO called RIMAU, which arranged for a 2-night visit to an orang asli village deep in the jungle. The purpose of the visit was to confirm the “graduation” of 14 anti-tiger poaching rangers from among the Jahai orang asli community there. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, many activities were organized with the Jahai children by the RIMAU volunteers, and VERITAS President David Hashim was honoured by giving away food packages to the Jahai leaders.

VERITAS-EPAC Collaboration with University of Malaya on Design/Fabrication of Covid-19 Facemask UV Disinfection Appliance
VERITAS is pleased to announce a special project undertaken in collaboration with one of its Clients, Mr. Sasha Dobrovolsky of EPAC, and a group of doctors and technicians at the University of Malaya (UM) to design and fabricate an Ultra Violet (UV) light exposure appliance which potentially will revolutionize the process for disinfection and re-use of N95 Facemasks which are used extensively in the Covid-19 battle.

The project, which started in late March 2020, seeks to solve a serious problem in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic; how to keep patients and frontline health workers safe by ensuring that N95 facemasks are regularly and effectively disinfected between medical encounters and treatments. This is especially critical due to the vast shortage of such masks and the high risk of virus transmission when they are overused without disinfection.

The project commenced with a conceptual design prepared by Mr. Dobrovolsky for the UV radiation device, which is about the size of a micro-wave oven. In coordination with VERITAS President David Mizan Hashim, the Dean of the UM’s Medical Faculty Dato’ Dr. Adeebah Kamarulzaman quickly assembled a team of experts from various departments within the university including Dr. Andri Andriyana, Prof.Saad Mekhilef and Dr. Ridha Muhamad, and ZOOM meetings were held in early April to clarify and confirm technical specifications. By mid-April, the first prototype unit was being fabricated by the engineering team at UM, fully funded by VERITAS. Once completed, the prototype will be sent into the field for testing in real-life Covid-19 treatment hospitals.

If the unit proves to be effective, they can be mass-produced at low cost so that many of them can be placed on Covid-19 floor wards for doctors to conveniently use in between encounters with patients, suspected patients and even each other. And since this is an “open-source” project by EPAC/VERITAS/UM, there will be no patents on the design of the unit, thus allowing any party to replicate and fabricate them for their own needs. VERITAS is very proud to be playing a role in this important project to help our front-line Covid-19 healthcare heroes have a safer environment in which to save lives.

On the 12^th and 13^th of September 2020, a group of 3 VERITASians, 3 employees of Haskell and members of the NGO EcoMy formed an expedition to Taman Negara for Project Kampungku 3.0, a renewable energy initiative aimed at bringing artificial lighting to orang asli villages across rural Malaysia. In addition to VERITAS and Haskell, EcoMys partner for the third year was Lewis & Clarke College of USA.

The VERITASians, led by Venuthan Ganasan, worked with the indigenous tribes of Kampung Atok to educate the tribal communities on correct usage of photovoltaic panels to provide artificial lighting. The team also brought grocery supplies for the 23- family village.

On the 27^th and 28^th of July 2019, a group of 8 VERITASians, 5 people from Haskell APAC, members of Ecomy and a journalist from Harian Metro, Balai Berita NSTP, Bangsar, KL joined an expedition to Taman Negara for ‘Project Kampungku 2.0’ which is a renewable energy initiative aimed at bringing artificial lighting to orang asli villages across rural Malaysia. The co-founder of Kampungku is an NGO called ECOMY and the project’s partners for the second year; VERITAS and Haskell and also Lewis & Clark College of USA were part of this particular Kampungku expedition. The VERITASians led by Latha Ramasamy, Head of Human Resources worked with the indigenous tribes people of Kampung Yong to have bamboo frames for the photo-voltaic panels to be charged, and educated them the correct usage of the panels that provide light and charging port in the village. The team also visited Kampung Aur from the previous year Kampungku Project to inspect on the photo-voltaic panels condition and replaced the damaged spare parts.

On 22^nd May 2019, the VERITAS Sports and Social Club (VSSC) held Ramadhan Charity Drive in collaboration with the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE). VERITASians, sponsored money and groceries which were delivered to “Pertubuhan Bantuan Kebajikan Keluarga Miskin Bandar Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor”. An amazing effort by VSSC and VFE team!

On 17th till 19th August 2018, a group of 9 VERITASians joined an expedition to Taman Negara for ‘Project Kampungku’ which is a renewable energy initiative aimed at bringing artificial lighting to orang asli villages across rural Malaysia. The co-founder of Kampungku is an NGO called ECOMY and the project’s new partners; VERITAS, Haskell and Lewis & Clark College of USA were part of this particular Kampungku expedition. The VERITASians led by Latha Ramasamy, Head of Human Resources worked with the indigenous tribes people to construct bamboo frames for the photovoltaic panels, and installed with wiring and lighting to the many homes in the village.

VERITAS Fund for Excellence sponsored four Malaysian Architecture students to attend the LIVE DESIGN DISCOURSE (LDD) – The Essential Framework, to Surabaya (Indonesia), from 19th – 23rd February 2018. The LDD series is a programme initiated by Ar Saifuddin Ahmad (PAM) that aims to create an opportunity to collaborate, network and foster better relationship among student members of the participant institutes of architects. Also, to serve as a platform for students to share design ideas which are unique to our region, culture and environment. Four countries and several universities were represented at the design charrette: Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA), Association of Siamese Architects (AIA) and the host Ikatan Arsitek Indonesia (IAI). VERITAS Principal Ar Lillian Tay and Architect Dr Miguel A. Robles-Cardona attended and supported the Malaysian participant students: Aiman Al Fahmi Bin Adbul Kashaf (UiTM), Syahidah Binti Samsir (UM), Nurul Husna Binti Zulkifli (IIUM) and Muhammad Aizat Bin Anuar (UTM). Ar Nur Safuraa Abd Razak tutored the team during the design exercise in Surabaya.

On 29^th September 2018, the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE) organised a gardening day in the Kebun-Kebun Bangsar park. The effort began earlier in collaboration with students from Taylors University, School of Architecture and Building Design (SABD). They designed and built a hangout spot for visitors to the park to enjoy the greenery. To officiate the completed works, a June Plum fruit tree (Spondias Dulcis) was planted by VERITAS Group President David Hashim and Tony Liew, Dean of SABD. The VERITASians and students were then divided into groups to plant various types of flora including fruit trees, vegetables and shrubs in several different locations. It was a very “fruitful” day for the green loving VERITASians!

The UNITY project has been a unique CSR initiative undertaken by the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE) in collaboration with the Shalini Ganendra Fine Art (SGFA) and also in conjunction with Malaysia’s 60th Merdeka anniversary in 2017. The project seeks to remind all Malaysians of the importance of our Rukunegara and to celebrate the unifying power of this national philosophy through the curation and exhibition of a collection of 5 special works of sculpture by students of design from Malaysia’s premier School of Architecture, Taylor’s University.In summary, the objectives of The UNITY project were to;

• a) Raise awareness of our Rukunegara and the importance of national unity,
• b) Celebrate our 60th Merdeka, and
• c) Showcase the creative works of Malaysian youth.

VFE has been conducting a series of workshops to curate students’ art works, leading to the Exhibition & Prize-Giving Ceremony held as part of the programme of the Gallery Weekend Kuala Lumpur (GW-KL) 2017.Art works were based on the Rukunegara principles:

• 1. Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan (Belief in God)
• 2. Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara (Loyalty to King and Country)
• 3. Keluruhan Perlembagaan (Supremacy of the Constitution)
• 4. Kedaulatan Undang-undang (The Rule of Law)
• 5. Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan (Mutual Respect and Good Social Behaviour)

Representatives of each of the student teams walked the guests and attendees through the 5 sculptures displayed in the art works exhibition and shared their concepts and inspiration to represent each of the pillars of the Rukunegara. Based on this presentation, the Jury, formed by VFE, SGFA, TAYLOR’S and Ar. Ezumi Harzani Ismail (PAM President) deliberated and decided on the best idea and sculpture, granting the winner team with a cash cheque and internships with VERITAS.

The VERITAS Fund for Excellence in Design Education (VFE) has joined hands with Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) to enhance the area around Tasik Seri Aman in Puchong on 8th October 2016. About 60 VERITASians plus students from a few local universities planted a hundred trees and shrubs around the lakeside. This was followed by the painting of four murals on the walls of a café and facilities center located next to the lake. Paint for the murals was sponsored by Jotun paints. Other sponsors were Peace Garden & Hobbyest Sdn Bhd, MIG Landscape Sdn Bhd and Pembinaan Muzqi (M) Sdn Bhd.

The VERITAS Kickstarter Day was a fun-filled outdoor event which was held in conjunction with the Kuala Lumpur Car Free Morning by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). A total of about 100 VERITASians and their families participated in a cycling tour of KL, mapped out to enjoy the bi-monthly car-free morning. The event which took about two hours to cover, saw many VERITASians returning with fulfilled looks of a good work-out. Upon return to the starting point at the VERITAS Office at Bangunan Getah Asli, the team jived to the steps of Zumba. The merriment of this exercise set-off the mood for more dance steps and fun on the floor.

Kuala Selangor, 2 May 2015 ­– VERITAS Design Group with VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE) and with the help of Kuala Selangor Nature Park, restore mangrove forest to benefit the coastline of the Straits of Malacca and the environment as a whole.

VERITAS Fund for Excellence is part of VERITAS Design Group coordinated by the knowledgeable staff at Kuala Selangor Nature Park, Kuala Selangor to plant native mangrove trees along the coast. 99 volunteers that consist of Staff and family members of the VERITAS Design Group participated in the tree planting. The volunteers and park staff will plant 200 mangrove trees of one species Rhizophora Mucronata the notable red mangrove species.

Under the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE) program, VERITAS recently launched its latest initiate; the Adopt-a-park scheme! Conceived by VERITAS and gifted to Kuala Lumpur, the scheme invites private companies to support the creation and maintenance of ‘pocket-parks’ around the city by contributing to a special fund established under the control of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL). Under the terms of this adoption DBKL will build and upkeep the pocket-park of a period of 2 years and maintain signage of the adoptee company within the park.

In addition to conceiving of the scheme, VERITAS also adopted the first pocket-park, a 300sm median area infront of KLCC which includes the installation of walkways, artwork, garden lights, shady trees and ornamental shrubs. The Memorandum of Agreement (M.O.A) signing ceremony was officiated by Tan Sri Haji Ahmad Phesal bin Hj Talib, the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur and David Mizan Hashim, Group President of VERITAS.

Moved by the sufferings of Nepalese after the Himalayan nation was battered by the worst earthquake in 80 years, a local company has collected funds from its staff to build five temporary shelters. VERITAS Design Group manage to collect and spent the RM10,000 in funds to build the shelters. With assistance from the Arun Chaudhary Foundation based in Nepal, the shelters were built last month for the homeless victims for use as temporary homes. The three-metre in width, 4.6 metre in height shelters made from aluminium coat-based material costing US$500 per unit could accommodate a family of five.

It was imperative that VERITAS gave a helping hand and build shelters for the homeless. On April 25, an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Nepal, killing more than 9,000 people. Since then, the country has experienced 387 aftershocks of over magnitude 4.0.The Kathmandu Valley which is located in Nepal - famed for having seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites - has also been devastated by the earthquake.

THE Kuala Lumpur Rat Race® has long been regarded as a must-attend event for Corporate Malaysia, as evident in its 14th year running since its inaugural event back in 2000. This is VERITAS' first year to don their running shoes for The Edge Bursa charity. This year's Kuala Lumpur Rat Race®, was held on Tuesday, 17 September 2013, with a route of 4.5KM through the commercial heart of Kuala Lumpur.

For David Mizan Hashim, Group President of VERITAS Design Group, it was his first time running in the CEO category. David finished 5th out of 63 participating CEOs, while the VERITAS team finished 26th out of 44 other teams in the mixed category.

VFE conducted a tree planting programme in conjunction with VERITAS' 25th anniversary celebrations - '25 trees for 25 years'. The event saw staff of VERITAS planting 25 trees in the park, while DBKL supported the move by planting another 25 trees. VERITAS' Clients had pledged RM1000 for each of the 25 trees and VERITAS will match that RM 25,000 with an equal amount to raise a total sum of RM 50,000, which will go towards Malaysian Nature Society and a Charity Home each RM25,000.

On Saturday 8th September 2012, the event kicked-off with an officiation and ground breaking ceremony with our Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib of the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), David Hashim Group President of VERITAS Design Group and Miss Malaysia World 2009 Thanuja Ananthan. VERITAS staff participated in the planting of 25 trees of varying rainforest species within the Taman Metropolitan park.

Another VERITAS' initiative; VFE- Taman Maju Jaya Flat "Facelift for old flats". VERITAS is covering the design and construction cost of this project as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, having spent the last two years laying the groundwork for this project. Through our social responsibility initiative the VERITAS Fund for Excellence (VFE), we will keep on trying to make a difference and give back to society a part of what we have received in terms of support and goodwill.