UMPSA Kembara Lestari engages Tawau community through technology sharing and expansion of Advanced TVET

TAWAU, 1 May 2026 — The Kembara Lestari@Negeri di Bawah Bayu 4.0 programme concluded successfully at Kampung Budaya Pasir Putih, Tawau, after five days of implementation filled with various initiatives involving technology, community engagement, education, sustainability, spirituality, culture, and community service assistance.

The organisation of the programme reflects UMPSA’s continued commitment towards bringing technology closer to society, empowering education, and strengthening collaborative networks between educational institutions, agencies, and the local community.

The Closing Ceremony and Festival Rakyat were officiated by Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment cum Tanjung Batu State Assemblyman, Yang Berhormat Dr. Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd Sainal.

Also present were Kalabakan Member of Parliament, Yang Berhormat Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, the Chairman of the UMPSA Board of Directors, Dato’ Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, who is also the Chairman of Yayasan UMPSA, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Rail Link Sdn. Bhd. (MRL), Dato’ Sri Darwis Derahman, who is also a member of the Yayasan UMPSA board of trustees.

Also present were Yayasan UMPSA board of trustee members, Dato’ Sri Ahmad Fuaad Kenali and Datin Nur Sharmila Shaheen, UMPSA Registrar, Dato’ Saiful Bahri Ahmad Bakarim, who represented the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah Alias, and Yayasan UMPSA Chief Executive, Mohd Jamil Mohd Ja’afar.

According to Dr. Andi, his office welcomed the strategic collaboration between UMPSA and MRL through the selection of the cultural village for the programme.

“UMPSA volunteers successfully demonstrated strong commitment, and the technologies introduced were practical to implement, especially the vertical farming system, which can generate income for the local community.

“This initiative not only strengthens relationships between students and rural communities but also serves as a platform to cultivate volunteerism, unity, and sustainable social development.

“May this close relationship continue in the future,” he said.

During the ceremony, he also presented student assistance contributions amounting to RM2,500 to Sekolah Kebangsaan Pasir Putih Tawau, foster family contributions, caring assistance contributions, and prizes to volleyball competition winners.

Meanwhile, according to Dato’ Seri Abdul Razak, the programme organised by Yayasan UMPSA in strategic collaboration with MRL involved 45 volunteers comprising university students and staff, with support from Tawau Polytechnic, Sabah.

“Kampung Budaya Pasir Putih was selected as the programme location due to its status as a MADANI Adopted Village under MRL’s supervision.

“One of the main initiatives was the development of 13 sets of vertical farming systems benefiting ten local families.

“Each system is capable of accommodating approximately 150 planting pots to help save space and increase community agricultural productivity,” he said.

More interestingly, three sets were equipped with solar energy systems to facilitate automatic and systematic irrigation processes.

The education cluster also involved 140 students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pasir Putih who had the opportunity to participate in the INSPIRE Programme, STEAM projects, and Street Science activities aimed at nurturing interest in science and technology from an early stage.

Meanwhile, the organisation of the Robot Literacy Programme by the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology (FTKEE) lecturer, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin, successfully introduced the basics of robot construction, programming, and problem-solving through interactive activities and project-based challenges to 150 certificate- and diploma-level vocational college students.

In addition, students also gained inspiration through a sharing session titled ‘Building the Sky: Inspiration of Skyscraper @Future Development of Merdeka 118’ with the Chief Executive Officer of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Bhd., Dato’ Ir. Izwan Hasli Mohd Ibrahim, which broadened their perspectives regarding career potential and the nation’s future development.

The Kembara Lestari programme also involved communal work activities, caring visits, community rewang, sukaneka, and various programmes with village residents.

The programme received cooperation from Malaysia Rail Link Sdn. Bhd., China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).

Other contributors included Dhaya Maju Infrastructure, MR.DIY Foundation, Rainbow Girl, Mamee Double-Decker Sdn. Bhd. (MAMEE), Hardex Corporation Sdn. Bhd., PMG Pharmacy, and Nestlé (Milo and Maggi).

Also involved were the Kalabakan Member of Parliament’s Office, Tanjung Batu State Assemblyman’s Office, Tawau Health Office, Kampung Pasir Putih NADI Centre, Tawau State Library, and Persatuan Al-Falah.
More than 500 local community members attended and enlivened the programme while participating in activities throughout the Festival Rakyat held in conjunction with the Kembara Lestari @Negeri di Bawah Bayu 4.0 programme.

By: Mimi Rabita Haji Abd Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Ts. Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press