20 students gain knowledge about coral reefs and ecosystem

Kuantan, 21 August 2020 - For the first time, the Co-curriculum Centre, Student Affairs and Alumni Department, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) organised an Education-Based Community Service Programme: Coral Reefs and Its Impact on the Ecosystem in collaboration with Simply Scooba Industries.
Twenty participants attended the programme to gain knowledge related to the types of coral reefs in terms of care, life chain towards nature and importance to humans.
Also present were the Director of the UMP Co-Curriculum Centre, Ts. Dr. Siti Rabiatull Aisha Idris and Simply Scooba Industries Chief Operating Officer, Shahnaz Adila Mohd Sharif.
According to Ts. Dr. Siti Rabiatull, participants were given a briefing and introductory session on coral reefs by a professional reefer in Malaysia, Khairol Khalid.
“They were also divided into several groups to complete particular tasks underwater.
“On the first and second dives, the participants were introduced to the types of coral reefs found in Malaysian waters such as large polyp stony coral (LPS) and small polyp stony coral (SPS).
“It is also known as hard and soft corals. On the third dive, each group must find the types of coral reefs that belong to the specified category within the allocated time, ” she said.
This activity provided education on not only coral reefs but also missions and activities that need to be done during the dive.
Seri Liyana Ezamzuri, a UMP student who participated in the programme, was delighted because she had the opportunity to participate in activities like this.
Similarly, Mohd Nadzwan Yusoff also hoped that such a programme can be continued in the future so that the community can appreciate the importance of coral reefs and maintain and conserve coral reefs in the national waters.

By: Ts. Dr. Siti Rabiatul Aisha Idris and Mohamad Najib Mohamad Nor, UMP Co-Curriculum Centre
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of   Chemical and Process Engineering Technology