TUESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2012 09:09

Story and Pix by Mohd Noor Ramly

KUALA SELANGOR, 16 Feb. 2012 – Students from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) Friends of Garden Club took part in apilot project at the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Nature Park which ended here today.

The UKM-MNS Environmental Awareness programme was aimed at increasing their awareness of the need to preserve the environment and to undertake research of the mangrove swamps in the nature park.

The students were from the Faculties of Science and Technology, Education and Social Sciences and Humanities. Apart from learning first hand from their involvement in the project, it was also aimed at improving their competency in collating data and improving their communication skills.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships) Dato’ Dr Saran Kaur Gill who officiated at its closing ceremony here today said the programme was a good example of students’ involvement in a voluntary programme that had not only benefitted them but also the local community.

It had afforded them a valuable learning experience by providing them biological lessons on the role of mangrove swamps in the ecosystem of the area.

The programme began on Jan 30 and was held with the cooperation of the Industry and Community Partnership, Faculty of Science and Technology, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Institute for Environment and Development UKM (LESTARI) at the MNS Taman Alam (nature park) here.

Apart from their first-hand experience in undertaking research of the area, the students were also able to improve their competency in communications skills and the management of data while improving their awareness of the benefits of mangrove swamps in the ecosystem of the area while MNS benefitted from the data they were able to compile.

Various activities were held including environmental awareness and the need for biodiversity campaign, study of birds and firefly in the area as well as volunteering services.

Present at the closing ceremony were Manager of the MNS Conservation Programme, Maye Yap; Prof Dr Mohamad Deraman from the Faculty of Science and Technology; the Programme Advisor, Dr Wan Jualiana Wan Ahmad and representatives from Lestari and the Kuala Selangor Nature Park.