Muhammad Hafizu Aiman Jusoh, a teacher working with the Orang Asli Temiar community in Pos Pulat, Kelantan, has been recognized for his innovative efforts to sustain education amid significant community change. He received the RISE Educator Award 2026 for creating a 24-hour learning hub designed to support independent study as the community prepared for relocation due to the Nenggiri Dam project.
Faced with the disruption caused by the planned dam, Muhammad Hafizu Aiman sought to ensure that learning opportunities would persist despite the uncertainty. His initiative, known as “Rumah Belajar Tanpa Loceng” (House of Learning Without Bells), is a community-based model grounded in heutagogy—a learner-centered approach promoting self-directed education. It integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with artificial intelligence (AI), digital skills, and the preservation of the Temiar language and cultural heritage.
Launched in 2024, the program serves about 40 primary school students and 25 adult learners ranging from 18 to 73 years old. Projects under the hub include Kampung AI dan Digital, the Digital Temiar Dictionary, and AI Storybook Mathematics. These initiatives aim to merge advanced digital tools with efforts to maintain cultural identity, providing access to learning materials even during periods without internet connectivity.
The idea originated when Muhammad Hafizu Aiman observed limited evening activities in the community during his time as a school warden. The temporary halt in Nenggiri Dam construction, as residents prepared for resettlement, presented an opportunity to implement the learning hub to engage the community continuously.
Following the community’s relocation to a new site further inland to make way for the dam’s reservoir, Muhammad Hafizu Aiman now faces the challenge of reconstructing the hub’s infrastructure. He plans to utilize the award’s prize money to rebuild and adapt the project to the community's new environment.
Mohd Radzi Mat Yaacob, headmaster of SK Pulat, highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to enhance educational access in remote areas, citing ongoing challenges such as limited internet connectivity and infrastructure. He expressed optimism that award funding would support expanding AI and digital learning tools for students.
At the award ceremony held at Taylor’s University on September 12, several dignitaries were present, including Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul and Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek. Johari emphasized the importance of investing in youth leadership development, mentioning initiatives to engage rural students with parliamentary processes to foster confidence and responsibility.
Josephine Tan, campus director of Taylor’s College, praised the finalists for addressing their students' needs beyond academic results. She noted their ability to transform challenges into innovative learning opportunities, creating educational environments where students can explore their potential.
Muhammad Hafizu Aiman’s work exemplifies a committed effort to adapt education to community circumstances while blending modern technology with cultural preservation, providing a model that may inspire educators facing similar challenges.