Kembara Prihatin@Bumi Kenyalang 2.0 Travel Programme strengthens collaboration between UMPSA, IKM Bintulu, and Alumni

BINTULU, 17 August 2024 – Living with adoptive families and working together to make the programme a success gave 24 volunteers from the UMPSA Foundation Squad and 13 volunteers from the MARA Skills Institute (IKM) an opportunity to contribute to the Ukit community at the Uma Ukit Longhouse in Sungai Asap, Bintulu, Sarawak.

Programme Director, Fatini Nasuha Ahmad Fuad, noted that the strong collaboration with IKM Bintulu successfully promoted the #KeluargaMalaysia harmony concept and highlighted the importance of volunteerism as a key agenda for the university in producing skilled students and compassionate citizens.

“The volunteers were warmly welcomed by their adoptive families, and various activities and initiatives were carried out to help ease the burden of the local community. 

“This included technology clusters, community outreach, sustainability projects, education, spirituality, and targeted aid distribution,” she said.

Fatini also managed to bring together UMPSA alumni to contribute to the programme’s success, with additional support from NGOs and strategic partners.

UMPSA alumnus Micheal Anak Jangi, now a lecturer at IKM Bintulu, shared that this programme is a continuation of earlier initiatives like Explore Kapit 1.0 in 2014 and Explore Kapit 2.0 in 2017, which were held in Rochester Anthony, Nanga Mujan Ili, Nanga Merit, Batang Rejang, Belaga District, and other locations.

"This time, IKM Bintulu's contributions included building riverbank huts, setting up hydroponic systems, electrical installations, and introducing STEM and IoT for lighting and education promotion," he said.

He added, this programme also gives IKM Bintulu students valuable exposure, allowing them to collaborate with the Yayasan UMPSA team in organizing such initiatives.

IKM Bintulu student Franky Izlye Laka expressed pride in contributing to the STEM and IoT Lighting Project, which provided lighting for Uma Ukit's Longhouse. Similarly, Rochester Chirry, another IKM Bintulu student, played a key role in the Hydroponic System Project, which encourages residents to participate in agro-farming activities.

Meanwhile, Dr. Noormazlinah Ahmad, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology (FTKKP) and recipient of the Young Hope Alumni Award at the recent Public University Alumni Night 2024 (MAL'24), was also involved in the programme. 

She introduced and promoted Pre-Pecto, an inulin-based fertilizer used to enhance nutrient levels around the longhouses.

Volunteers who stayed at Uma Ukit, Belaga, lived with their adoptive families for seven days and six nights, gaining the opportunity to experience the community’s culture and daily life firsthand.

By: Nor Salwana Mohamad Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)