Bintulu - 10 April 2023, Awareness of preserving the uniqueness of the traditions and culture of the community in Sarawak is the agenda of various parties so that it can be inherited by future generations.

A total of 36 students from the QKK2101 Bakti Pelajar Group 1, Semester 2 2022/2023 Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) accompanied by a lecturer as a facilitator of the program had organized a three-day and two-night community program with the community at Kelambu Anak Uhong Longhouse.

This program was held to strengthen the relationship between UPMKB staff and the community in the longhouse while getting to know the traditions and culture of the Iban community.

The Program Director, Muhammad Nur Syamim Bin Nirhan said such programs provide an opportunity for students, especially those who are not from Sarawak, to experience the experience and atmosphere in the Longhouse.

"It is my hope that this program will provide us with a valuable experience as well as being a platform to strengthen the good relationship between UPMKB and the community in this longhouse.

Among the programs include community service, sharing of hydroponic cultivation techniques, colouring competition for children, fruit decorating competition, cultural activities, and tele match.

The students lived with their adoptive families throughout the program to experience life in the Longhouse and to get to know the culture and traditions of the Iban community and the Longhouse.

During their stay in the Longhouse, the students had the opportunity to learn and play traditional musical instruments such as tawak, engkerumung, bebendai, gong and dapun. The mothers in the Longhouse also showed how to make a weave and prepare traditional cakes such as kuih kikin and penyaram.

The students also had the opportunity to recognize and style the traditional Iban community as well as learn the ngajat dance. The residents of the Longhouse were entertained with a special performance by the students at the Begulai Kasih Aspiration Night.

According to Dr. Karmilah Abdullah, the Escort Lecturer as a facilitator of the program, such programs can provide an opportunity for students to appreciate the uniqueness and racial diversity in Malaysia.

"This golden opportunity means a lot to the students as there are students who have just set foot in Sarawak to continue their studies. The Putra Bakti program can inculcate soft skills in students, especially through community programs organized by the university," she said.

The Putra Bakti- Begulai Kasih program with UPMKB ended with a gotong-royong event to clean and repair the entrance to the Longhouse.

Date of Input: 11/05/2023 | Updated: 12/05/2023 | lanz