Youth camp takes learning out of the classroom and into Sabah's rainforest
The Youth Camp on Climate Change 2025, launched Friday (May 2) at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), is organised by the Sabah Forestry Department and sponsored by the state Youth and Sports Ministry.
Running until Sunday (May 4), the camp brings together participants aged 17 to 25 from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Politeknik Sandakan, Kolej Komuniti Sandakan, Kolej Vokasional Sandakan II, and Kolej Komuniti Lahad Datu.
Participants were randomly assigned to five groups and given tasks related to climate issues to encourage teamwork, critical thinking and leadership skills. Their results will be presented to the group at the end of the camp.
By empowering participants to share what they learn with their peers and communities, the programme aims to expand its reach beyond the three-day camp.
About 70% of the activities are held outdoors, with support from members of the Sabah Environmental Education Network, including the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, along with researchers from the Forest Research Centre in Sepilok.
To deepen their understanding of climate impacts, the youths also visited a landfill managed by the Sandakan Municipal Council to learn about the connection between waste management and environmental sustainability.
Youth and Sports Ministry deputy permanent secretary Mary Paul Mijong Dagul, who officiated the launch on behalf of Minister Datuk Ellron Angin, said the camp was a reminder that learning can happen beyond the classroom.
'Knowledge can also be shared in the field, amid nature, and within communities struggling with the impacts of climate change.
'Camps like this give youths the chance to see, understand and take action," she said.
Also present was Forest Research centre head Dr Arthur Chung, representing chief conservator of forests Datuk Frederick Kugan.
'Climate change is not just an issue for experts, it's something that everyone should understand,' Chung said.
The organisers said early education is vital for building future leaders who can respond to climate challenges and help drive long-term solutions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Barnama
Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia Launches Miri RDC
MIRI, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Ruang Daya Cipta (RDC), an initiative to empower science, technology and innovation (STI) within the community by Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), was launched here today. The inauguration ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal, at an event attended by stakeholders, strategic partners, academics and the local community. According to YIM's statement today, the Miri RDC was developed as a result of strategic cooperation between the federal government and the Sarawak government, with YIM as the main implementing agency responsible for providing facilities, training and STI-related programmes. "The RDC serves as a community platform that provides access to facilities, equipment and training related to the STI field. Through the RDC, the local community has the opportunity to develop their creative potential and create relevant and sustainable innovative solutions," the statement said. So far, a total of 23 RDCs have been established nationwide, including four each in Sabah and Johor; two each in Sarawak, Pahang, Kelantan, Selangor and Perak; and one each in Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka. The Miri RDC, which was completed in October 2023, is located at the Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, and is equipped with facilities such as computers, 3D printers, and a digital studio to support the development of technological skills and creativity within the community. Through a social innovation approach, the RDC provides direct access to technology and training, thereby enabling rural communities like those in Miri to participate in and benefit from opportunities in the digital economy. "The establishment of this facility is also in line with the implementation of the MOSTI Social Innovation Policy (DIS) which emphasises the creation of an inclusive STI ecosystem that directly benefits the community, especially at the grassroots level," the statement said. The RDC also supports Core 2 of DIS, which focuses on the cultivation and empowerment of creativity, as well as Core 4, which emphasises the development of integrated social innovation infrastructure at the grassroots level.
Daily Express
08-05-2025
- Daily Express
Students get insight on climate change
Published on: Thursday, May 08, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 08, 2025 By: Jessie Lee Text Size: Mary (fourth from left), Dr Chung (third from left) and other guests at the Youth Camp on Climate Change 2025, held at Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). (Photo source: Facebook) Kota Kinabalu: Forty students gathered at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok for the Youth Camp on Climate Change 2025, held from April 30 to May 2. The three-day camp, sponsored by the state's Youth and Sports Ministry, was organised by the Sabah Forestry Department. It brought together participants aged 17 to 25 from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Politeknik Sandakan, Kolej Komuniti Sandakan, Kolej Vokasional Sandakan II and Kolej Komuniti Lahad Datu. Participants were divided into smaller groups and assigned different climate-related topics, which they later presented during the final session of the camp. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said the ministry greatly appreciates the initiative in organising the meaningful camp. 'When we were informed that 40 youth from diverse backgrounds and areas of study would gather at the Rainforest Discovery Centre to explore the issue of climate change, we were confident that such programmes deserve our attention and support. 'Your presence here shows that Malaysian youth, especially in Sabah, are not only eager to gain knowledge but also ready to take concrete steps in addressing this challenge,' he said, represented by the Ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary Mary Paul Mijong Dagul. In line with this hands-on approach, the camp included workshops conducted in collaboration with Sabah Environmental Education Network (Seen) partners such as the Sabah Wildlife Department and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). Sabah Forestry Department Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan said it is hoped that the Youth Camp on Climate Change would serve as a catalyst for more climate-themed initiatives in the future, with the involvement of youth from all over Sabah. He said it is truly impressive to learn that most of the participants in this camp are not from scientific backgrounds but are passionate to learn and understand climate change issues. 'We believe that the youth, as the heirs of the future, need to be given space to understand and be involved in efforts to address this issue. 'Climate change is not just an issue for experts but a concern that needs to be understood by everyone,' Frederick said, represented by Head of Forest Research Centre Dr Arthur Chung. Participants were divided into smaller groups and assigned different climate-related topics, which they presented during the final session of the camp. They also visited a landfill managed by the Sandakan Municipal Council where they explored the connection between waste management and environmental sustainability. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
07-05-2025
- The Star
Rainforest trip sprouts climate awareness
Empowering the next generation: Mary (fourth from left) and Chung (third from left) with organisers and participants at the launch of the Youth Camp on Climate Change 2025 in Sandakan. KOTA KINABALU: Climate change education took a meaningful turn for 40 youths as they stepped into the rainforest during a three-day experiential learning camp in Sandakan. The Youth Camp on Climate Change 2025 brings together participants aged 17 to 25 from five institutions: Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Politeknik Sandakan, Kolej Komuniti Sandakan, Kolej Vokasional Sandakan II and Kolej Komuniti Lahad Datu. Participants were randomly assigned into five groups and given tasks related to climate issues. These tasks will be presented at the end of the camp to encourage teamwork, critical thinking and leadership skills. About 70% of the activities are held outdoors, with support from members of the Sabah Environmental Education Network, including the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, along with researchers from the Forest Research Centre in Sepilok. To deepen understanding of climate impacts, the youths also visited a landfill operated by the Sandakan Municipal Council, gaining insights into the relationship between waste management and environmental sustainability. The event was launched by deputy permanent secretary of the state youth and sports ministry Mary Paul Mijong Dagul, on behalf of Minister Datuk Ellron Angin, at the Rainforest Discovery Centre yesterday. It is organised by the Sabah Forestry Department and sponsored by the state Youth and Sports Ministry. Mary said the camp was a reminder that learning can happen beyond the classroom. 'Knowledge can also be shared in the field, amidst nature, and within communities struggling with the impacts of climate change. 'Camps like this give youths the chance to see, understand and take action,' she said. Also present was Forest Research Centre head Dr Arthur Chung, who represented chief conservator of forests Datuk Frederick Kugan. According to Chung, climate change is not just an issue for experts, adding that it is a matter that everyone should understand. The organisers said early education is vital to building future leaders who can respond to climate challenges and drive long-term solutions. By empowering participants to share what they have learnt with their peers and communities, the programme aims to expand its reach beyond the three-day camp.
