Written by Associate Professor Dr. Mahani binti Mohammad Abdu Shakur & Miss Nur Nadhira Binti Baharuddin, FEB-UNIMAS
KOTA SAMARAHAN, 12 August 2026 Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) successfully co-hosted the Kem Pemimpin Muda Prihatin Air (KPMPA) Zon Borneo 2026, a national-level youth water leadership programme held from 10 to 12 August 2026. The three-day residential programme brought together 50 secondary school students and 10 teachers from 10 schools across Kuching, Samarahan, Bau and Padawan, providing young participants with an immersive platform to deepen their understanding of water sustainability and their role as future guardians of Malaysia’s water resources.
Participants, teachers, module instructors, representatives of collaborating agencies and invited guests at closing ceremony of KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026
UNIMAS, a strategic partner agency of UNESCO-IHP Malaysia since 2015, served as the co-organiser of the programme, with the university’s involvement spearheaded by the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) and Associate Professor Dr Mahani Mohammad Abdu Shakur was appointed as Programme Director. The programme was organised under the Jawatankuasa Pendidikan, Latihan dan Penerangan Awam (JKPLPA), UNESCO-IHP Malaysia, with grant funding from the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (Suruhanjaya Kebangsaan UNESCO Malaysia – SKUM).
The programme contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through experiential water education, environmental awareness, responsible waste management and multi-agency collaboration, KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026 demonstrates how youth education and strategic partnerships can collectively contribute towards a more sustainable future.
Reflecting the programme theme, “Air Milik Semua” (Water for All), KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026 showcasing a multidisciplinary approach to water education. A total of 12 partner agencies and higher education institutions collaborated in delivering 13 comprehensive and interactive modules, including the Humid Tropics Centre Kuala Lumpur (HTC KL), Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj), National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), Agensi Nuklear Malaysia (ANM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (UniSHAMS). Supported by the Sarawak State Education Department, the programme involved students from Forms 3, 4 and 6, accompanied by 10 teachers. The participating schools were SMK Muara Tuang, SMK Hajjah Laila Taib, SMK Pesantren Abdul Taib Mahmud, SMK Sadong Jaya, SMK Matang Jaya, SM Sains Kuching, SMKA Tun Ahmad Zaidi, MRSM Kuching, SMK Wira Penrissen and SMK Lake
Participants engaging in one of the interactive learning modules delivered by KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026 collaborating agencies.
Strengthening a Decade-Long Water Sustainability Partnership
The opening ceremony was officiated by Associate Professor Ts. Noraziah binti Abdul Wahab, Assistant Vice Chancellor (Industry & Community Engagement and Sustainability), UNIMAS, representing the Vice Chancellor. A significant milestone during the ceremony was the presentation of the UNESCO-IHP Malaysia Partner Agency Certificate (Sijil Rakan Agensi) to UNIMAS. The certificate was presented by Cik Normaliza Noordin of Perbadanan Putrajaya, Chairperson of JKPLPA, UNESCO-IHP Malaysia, to Associate Professor Ts. Noraziah binti Abdul Wahab. The recognition formalises UNIMAS’ role as an active partner agency in supporting national water sustainability initiatives and marks more than a decade of strategic collaboration between UNIMAS and UNESCO-IHP Malaysia
Cik Normaliza Noordin, Chairperson of JKPLPA, UNESCO-IHP Malaysia, presenting the Partner Agency Certificate to Associate Professor Ts. Noraziah binti Abdul Wahab, representing UNIMAS.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026 was designed around the understanding that protecting water resources requires more than learning about water alone. Participants explored the interconnected relationships between water, land, waste, energy, technology, the environment and human behaviour, encouraging them to view water sustainability from a broader and more holistic perspective. As part of the 13-module programme, UNIMAS delivered an interactive Water Sustainability and Circular Economics module, featuring five hands-on learning stations on textile waste upcycling, Bokashi composting, used cooking oil (UCO) soap and candle production, and plastic waste repurposing. Through these activities, participants explored how responsible waste management and circular economy practices can contribute to protecting water resources. The hands-on approach also encouraged participants to recognise that materials commonly regarded as waste can be transformed into useful resources with renewed environmental, functional and potential economic value
Participants exploring waste valorisation and circular economy practices through five hands-on learning stations under UNIMAS’ Water Sustainability and Circular Economics module.
Responding to an Unexpected Environmental Challenge
The programme also demonstrated the importance of adaptability, teamwork and effective contingency management. Due to the prevailing haze conditions, activities originally planned at Libiki Bamboo Resort, Bau had to be relocated to the UNIMAS campus to safeguard the health and well-being of everyone involved in the programme, i.e. module instructors, committee members, teachers and especially participants. The unexpected change required the organising team to rapidly reorganise programme logistics, activity spaces and module delivery while coordinating with facilitators and participating agencies. Planned outdoor activities, including water and soil sampling, were subsequently modified or replaced with suitable indoor learning activities. The samples were pre-prepared and brought into the classroom for the simulation activities
Programme activities were swiftly reorganised inside Theatre Multimedia following the prevailing haze conditions, ensuring participant safety while maintaining programme continuity.
Despite the disruption, the programme continued without compromising its overall learning objectives. Activities were successfully executed at the Multimedia Theatre, Faculty of Economics and Business. Participants and module instructors were accommodated at Bunga Raya College and Dahlia College, respectively. The swift relocation and logistical arrangements demonstrated the organising team’s ability to respond effectively to an unforeseen environmental challenge while safeguarding participants and ensuring programme continuity.
The successful relocation was made possible through the strong support and cooperation of the UNIMAS management as well as various departments, which responded promptly to facilitate the necessary arrangements with a short notice. This collective effort reflected the university’s commitment to participant well-being and effective crisis response. More importantly, the experience reinforced one of the programme’s underlying messages: environmental challenges require not only knowledge and awareness, but also preparedness, collaboration, resilience and the capacity to adapt.
Celebrating Emerging Young Water Leaders
The three-day programme concluded with a closing ceremony officiated by Ir. Lily Azzyati binti Johar, Deputy Director of HTC KL and Deputy Secretary of UNESCO-IHP Malaysia. KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026 recognised the three best-performing groups with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, based on their participation, teamwork and commitment throughout the programme. The evaluation was made by the respective module instructor. Two participants received the programme’s highest individual recognition for demonstrating outstanding leadership, teamwork and analytical abilities. Nash Floydyllen Anak Nusen of MRSM Kuching received the Anugerah Putera, while Jaynielia Joy Juna Anak Angsun of SMK Muara Tuang received the Anugerah Puteri.
Anugerah Putera and Anugerah Puteri recipients with representatives of UNESCO-IHP Malaysia and UNIMAS.
Ultimately, the success of KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026 extends beyond the three days spent at UNIMAS. Its lasting impact will be reflected in the actions of these 50 young water leaders take when they return to their schools and communities i.e. the change of habits, the knowledge sharing and the water conservation initiatives they inspire. By equipping young people with knowledge, practical experience and a stronger sense of environmental responsibility, KPMPA Zon Borneo 2026 has planted the seeds for a new generation of water sustainability advocates in Sarawak, while strengthening UNIMAS’ continuing commitment to education, community engagement, strategic partnerships and sustainable development.