In a remarkable collaboration involving the Industrial Design Program at the College of Creative Arts UiTM Shah Alam, the Faculty of Business Management at UiTM Puncak Alam, GEOPARK LADA, the Penarak Nature Centre, and NTNU, Norway, a transformative initiative was undertaken to revitalize the Geo-Forest Park. Spanning from March 2023 to February 2024, this ambitious project culminated in a showcase held from the 14th to the 16th of February at Kompleks Ilham, College of Creative Arts Shah Alam.
The focal point of this showcase was the evaluation conducted by four esteemed external assessors: Dr. Haszlin Shaharudin, Mr. Zulkifli Romli, Dr. Mohd Shahril Rusman, and Mr. Mohd Shaleh Mujir. Their task was to meticulously assess the students’ project outputs and pave the way for further functional development in the future. During this event, expert assessors scrutinized the students’ projects, seeking ways to refine and enhance their vision for future iterations. At its core, the project sought to strike a delicate balance between attracting visitors and preserving the park’s natural integrity. By infusing thoughtful design elements, imparting ecological knowledge to visitors, and fostering community engagement, the aim was to ensure the park’s longevity as a cherished sanctuary.
Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17, this project accentuates the imperative of addressing contemporary challenges while envisaging a sustainable future for Malaysia’s tourism landscape. It impels students to delve into prevailing issues concerning the improvement, protection, and conservation of the Geo-Forest Park to fortify the region’s tourism fabric. Throughout the semester, students immerse themselves in comprehensive research, delineating innovative design concepts that transcend conventional paradigms.
Under the leadership of Siti Salwa Isa, with invaluable assistance from Zakiyah Hassan and Abu Ali of the Industrial Design Department, a groundbreaking project unfolded to breathe new life into the Geo-Forest Park. Collaborating closely with 40 students from the Faculty of Business Management at Puncak Alam, led by Associate Professor Dr. Nor Lelawati Jamaludin, this effort aimed to merge innovative design with sustainable tourism practices and epitomizes the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving sustainable change.
Article by: Abu Ali, Siti Salwa Isa, Associate Professor Dr Nor Lelawati Jamaludin, Zakiyah Hassan