UMS students to get lessons on how to restore forests
STUDENTS
of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will be having a “hands on” lesson in forest restoration with a palm oil plantation company.
UMS deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation) Associate Professor Dr Ramzah Dambul said a smart partnership between UMS and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd would lead to a win-win situation for both sides.
He added that the Higher Education Ministry had been emphasising on technical and vocational education and training to fulfill industrial demands.
This would contribute to economic growth, globalisation, knowledge-based economy, technology advancement and mobility of a global workforce.
“Besides that, it is also in line with the agreement for Sime Darby Plantation Bhd to rehabilitate and restore a 267ha forest that had been degraded at Sapong Estate in Tenom.
“Students will be able to have holistic learning on the restoration process — from selection of seeds, nursery, plantation and civil culture,” he said during the signing of the letter of intent in Kota Kinabalu recently.
Present was Sime Darby Sabah regional chief executive officer Mohd Faris Adli Shukery.
UMS’ forestry research, which was conducted by its Faculty of Sciences and Natural Resources, Associate Professor Dr Ramzah Dambul with Mohd Faris Adli Shukery (right) at the Letter of Intent signing ceremony at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. comprised four programmes, namely international tropical forestry; nature park and recreation; forest plantation and agroforestry; and, wood fibre industry and technology.
Ramzah said the Sapong Estate forest would
serve as UMS’ permanent sampling plot, where students could conduct long-term studies on forest dynamics and restoration.
“It will also become a site for postgraduate students to study different approaches on restoration and conservation efforts.
“The (restored) forest will also contribute in balancing UMS carbon footprint, which is in line with our objective as an eco-campus that emphasises sustainable development.
“This production of seedlings for forest trees will become the main site for training and main resources for the plantation,” he said, adding that the collaboration would also improve relationships between UMS and the industry.
Faris said Sapong Estate had become a secondary jungle with low canopy, with three fast-flowing streams that had been left untouched for more than 40 years.
“The existence of this substantial forest in Sapong Estate is a testament to our commitment towards no deforestation and no exploitation of the environment.
“We believe that the partnership project with UMS will demonstrate our support and contribute to the Malaysian government’s commitment in maintaining at least 50 per cent of our nation’s land as forest reserves,” he said.
Besides Sapong Estate, Sime Darby had also collaborated with the Sabah Forestry Department in reforesting the Northern Ulu Segama Forest Reserve to rehabilitate and preserve the orangutan’s habitat.