The Malaysia Summer Camp 2023: Understanding Health Hazards was a successful educational program organized by the Centre of Environmental Health and Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus. The camp took place from July 3rd to July 15th, 2023, and involved 23 students from the Australian National University (ANU) along with two accompanying staff members, Dr. Andrew Mathieson and Dr. Nicole Vargas.
The summer camp aimed to provide university students interested in public health and environmental health with a comprehensive understanding of health hazards. The program featured knowledgeable and experienced educators who were experts in environmental and public health, as well as sustainability. The participants gained a deeper understanding of environmental health and its significance in maintaining a healthy planet. They also developed valuable skills and knowledge applicable to their academic and professional pursuits.
During the camp, participants learned about various aspects of environmental health, including air and water quality, waste management, climate change, and the impacts of pollution on human health. The camp provided a unique opportunity for hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences that promoted environmental stewardship and responsibility.
The summer camp began at UiTM Puncak Alam with the International Environmental Health and Safety Mini Colloquium. The event facilitated engagement between ANU and UiTM students through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) poster presentation, a sharing session on Environmental Health and Sustainability in Australia by Dr. Andrew Mathieson, and an educational visit to the Black Soldier Fly Pilot Facility to observe the bioconversion of food waste into feedstocks. The “buddy system” allowed UiTM and ANU students to form groups and interact on campus during lunch, which received positive feedback. The ANU staff and students expressed gratitude for the knowledge sharing, development of soft skills, and the warm Malaysian hospitality extended to them.
Following the colloquium, the summer camp continued with a traditional village experience in Sungai Haji Dorani Homestay. The ANU students had the opportunity to engage in activities such as painting “batik,” making “roti canai,” catching fish in the paddy field, experiencing firefly sightings, and participating in the “kuda kepang” performance. The highlight of the camp was the excursions to the Royal Belum State Park on a riverboat, where students were exposed to rural health delivery systems, including water supply and sanitation, as well as malaria control. The ANU students thoroughly enjoyed their interaction with the “orang asli” (indigenous people) and the various jungle activities, such as waterfall visits, trekking, and swimming. The mesmerizing biodiversity of the Malaysian rainforests left a lasting impression on them.
The remaining days of the summer camp were spent in the city, engaging in activities related to community recycling initiatives, health clinic visits, and recreational bio-ecology sampling. UiTM expressed gratitude to the co-organizers of the Malaysia Summer Camp 2023, including the Malaysian Association of Environmental Health (MAEH), Ministry of Health Training Institute (ILKKM) Sungai Buloh, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences UPM, and Environmental Health and Industrial Safety Program UKM, for their outstanding commitment in making the camp enjoyable for both local and international students. Further collaboration is welcomed for future Malaysia Summer Camps involving international universities and practitioners of environmental health worldwide.
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