Kembara Lestari UMPSA reaches out to community and expands education for children of Taun Gusi

KOTA BELUD, 3 May 2025 – Kembara Lestari Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA@Negeri di Bawah Bayu 3.0) successfully engaged in the development of the local community while extending aid and contributions to the underprivileged through various cluster-based activities such as technology, community service, education, sustainability, spirituality, culture, and contributions for the community.

A total of 43 UMPSA Kilau volunteers, comprising the Yayasan UMPSA Squad and 10 UMPSA staff, stayed with host families in Kota Belud from 28 April to 3 May 2025.

The programme was also joined by students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah (KTYS), who experienced firsthand the pulse of life in the Kota Belud community and appreciated the local values and spirit of togetherness.

Officiating the programme was the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud.

Also present were the Chairman of the UMPSA Board of Directors, Dato’ Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias.

Also present were the Board of Trustees of Yayasan UMPSA, Dato’ Ir. Ts. Izwan Hasli Mohd Ibrahim, Farah Ain Madzlan, UMPSA Bursar, Dato’ Zainuddin Othman and Registrar, Dato’ Saiful Bahri Ahmad Bakarim.

According to Dato’ Seri Abdul Razak, through the Technology cluster, UMPSA has utilised its technical expertise by delivering innovations directly to the field, touching lives and shaping futures.

“Among the initiatives implemented were the installation of solar systems in five houses to provide sustainable energy and rewiring works in ten houses to ensure the safety and efficiency of the residents’ electrical systems.

“In the agricultural sector, 100 bottles of probiotic fertiliser, a product of UMPSA researchers’ innovation, were distributed to local farmers to enhance soil fertility and crop yields,” he said.

In addition, a total of 1,000 pineapple mushroom blocks were distributed to the Taun Gusi community to produce mushrooms using pineapple industry waste as a sustainable approach that not only preserves the environment but also opens up new economic opportunities for the local community.

More than 50 residents participated in the workshop to produce pineapple mushrooms, based on research by UMPSA lecturers.

Various activities were also conducted to cultivate knowledgeable and competitive future generations at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taun Gusi and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taun Gusi, aiming to spark an interest in learning from a young age and inspire students to pursue higher education.

Through the Inspire Programme, which engaged 300 students, and with the support of the STEM Project and the innovative Street Science approach, a strong foundation is being laid to produce a generation that excels academically, is highly innovative, and capable of leading change at both national and global levels.

Meanwhile, a study preparation room was also refurbished at SMK Taun Gusi and named ‘Study@UMPSA’ to encourage students to dream of university life from their school days.

A Premier Lecture titled ‘Unity as the Foundation of Prosperity’ was also held with UMPSA’s Islamic Affairs Officer, Al-Fadhil Ustaz Md Abdu Sahak, at Masjid Nurul Ehsan, Kampung Taun Gusi Padang in conjunction with the Kembara Lestari@Kota Belud, Sabah Programme, a collaboration with Yayasan UMPSA, the Centre for Islamic and Human Development (PIMPIN), and Rakan Siswa YADIM UMPSA.

More than 1,000 students and local community members attended to enliven the People’s Festival held in conjunction with Kembara Lestari UMPSA 3.0 @Negeri di Bawah Bayu.

The programme was supported by Yayasan Taqwa Wilayah Persekutuan, Yayasan MR.DIY, Muslim Care Global (MCG), Rainbow Girl, Yayasan Pembangunan Ekonomi Islam Malaysia (YAPIEM), Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIEM), SazaRice, TastyTuck and Raudhah Ridz, VICO Chocolate Beverage, Kota Belud Hospital and Kota Belud Dental Clinic.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications