Strengthening Volunteer Management and Corporate Social Responsibility Partnerships For Mangrove Forest Conservation of Pulau Ketam Perlis

Abstract

This report presents the outcomes of a collaborative program between Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi (UNPAB), Indonesia, and Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (PTSS), Malaysia, aimed at strengthening volunteer management and enhancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships in the conservation of mangrove forests at Pulau Ketam, Perlis. The program was designed to address ecological degradation, community livelihood challenges, and the need for sustainable coastal ecosystem management. By integrating environmental conservation with human capital development, financial technology applications, and CSR collaboration, the initiative sought to create a holistic model of sustainability. A situational analysis identified key challenges, including limited volunteer coordination, insufficient long-term CSR engagement, and gaps in community empowerment. To address these issues, a structured framework for volunteer management, digital-based financial support systems, and inclusive community training were implemented. The program emphasized student involvement through project-based learning, thereby aligning academic outcomes with real-world environmental and social challenges. Evaluation results demonstrated improvements in community participation, increased awareness of environmental stewardship, and stronger CSR contributions to local conservation efforts. The findings of this report highlight that the synergy of academic institutions, corporate partners, and local communities can serve as a replicable model for mangrove conservation in Southeast Asia. The integration of technology, sustainable finance, and human capital management into conservation strategies offers new pathways for addressing environmental degradation while simultaneously fostering community resilience and academic innovation.