The Borneo Post: Malaysian Environmental Education Conference ends successfully in Sandakan
POSTED ON OCTOBER 16, 2024, WEDNESDAY AT 6:16 PM
Dr Arthur Chung receiving a souvenir from the organizer, Bernadette Joeman, together with other agency representatives on stage.
SANDAKAN (Oct 16): The Fourth Malaysian Environmental Education Conference (MyEEConference) 2024, held from October 14 to 16 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok, Sandakan, concluded with resounding success, marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of environmental education in Malaysia.
The conference provided invaluable networking opportunities, enabling participants to connect and collaborate on environmental initiatives. It served as a sharing platform from the government sector and non-governmental agencies and students in understanding environmental education.
Organized by the Sabah Forestry Department in collaboration with the Sabah Environmental Education Network (SEEN) and the World Wide Fund (WWF) Malaysia, the conference brought together some 160 participants from various sectors, including government agencies, NGOs, private sector, higher learning institutions and schools.
This year’s event showcased significant progress in environmental education from 2020 to 2024, providing a dynamic platform for sharing insights and fostering collaboration.
The conference commenced with a keynote talk delivered by Dr Noor Azlin, President of the Malaysian Parks, Amenity and Recreation Management Society (MyParks) in Selangor, setting the tone for the discussions on environmental education.
Throughout the conference, participants engaged in 21 oral presentations that aligned with these themes.
The presentations featured experts from various countries and states: five speakers from Peninsular Malaysia, one speaker from Sarawak, 11 speakers from Sabah, one speaker from Brunei, two speakers from Indonesia, and one speaker from Japan. Besides presentations, there were also workshops and exhibitions from various relevant agencies, showcasing innovative environmental education projects, initiatives and biodiversity.
The participants also engaged in enriching field trips that included Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, SJK(C) Tai Tong and the Sandakan Heritage Trail.
“The connections made among us these past few days have strengthened our determination to protect our environment. This conference was not just about attending sessions or listening to speakers – it was about building a community of people who care deeply about the future of our country’s natural environment.” – as highlighted by Datuk Frederick Kugan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Sabah Forestry Department in his closing speech delivered by his Deputy (R&D), Dr Arthur Chung.
