Prepared by Aein Zakira

21 Januari 2024, Ahad- SMK ULU KINTA – Kembara Ilmu Bersama Pelajar Orang Asli (KIBPOA) 2024 programme has been successfully implemented through the collaboration by the Volunteer Secretariat, College Representative Council, Cancelor's College Session 2023/2024, led by Ms. Nur Nabila Shahirah Salim as the Director of KIBPOA 2024. This program involved 47 volunteers, comprising members of the Volunteer Secretariat Committee of Cancelor's College Session 2023/2024, in collaboration with volunteers from the Student Volunteer Brigade Session 2023/2024, UiTM Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus, accompanied by Ms. Nazibah binti Kamaruddin as the monitoring fellow for the Volunteer Secretariat, College Representative Council.

Kembara Ilmu Bersama Pelajar Orang Asli (KIBPOA) was organized to achieve elements outlined in the H.E.P.A 2021-2025 strategic plan, specifically focusing on third core of volunteerism, emphasizing community and societal service as well as environmental aspects, and realizing Effort 3, which is to uplift student empowerment in the UPM Vice Cancelor's narrative for 2023. The program's implementation took the form of a hands-on (Play and Learn) approach with the theme "Popularizing Technology," focusing on IT literacy activities and the importance of education in developing the community, especially indigenous students at SMK Ulu Kinta, Perak.

The KIBPOA 2024 activities, spanning 2 days and 1 night (January 19 and 20, 2024), included module simulations and activities held at Cancelor's College, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Seri Iskandar, collectively with the facilitator team on January 19, 2024. The simulations were conducted as initial preparation to ensure that the activities planned for SMK Ulu Kinta would proceed according to the schedule, allowing UPM and UiTM facilitators to exchange views and suggest improvements to make the program a success.

On January 20, 2024, KIBPOA 2024 began with an aerobic exercise session led by Mr. Gabriel Lesliey to boost the spirit and enthusiasm of the students, also serving as a warm-up activity to prevent any injuries. The program continued with Module 1, the ice-breaking session led by Mr. Ameer Haziq bin Abdul Aziz. Students were required to form groups based on matching arrangements resembling the logos of Malaysian universities, namely Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Malaya, and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. This session aimed to familiarize the students with the facilitator team who would be with them throughout the program.

Next, the activity "What is Next After School?" was conducted to expose indigenous students at SMK Ulu Kinta to universities in Malaysia. The objective was to introduce UPM and UiTM to the students, showcasing the facilities available at universities to attract their interest in pursuing higher education. For the "Explore the Sciences" activity, the goal was to enhance the knowledge of indigenous students at SMK Ulu Kinta about science and technology through engaging activities such as making ice cream using salt and ice in a short time, volcano lava experiments, water filtration projects, and more. This aimed to stimulate the student's interest in studying science and technology more deeply.

The program continued with the "Microsoft for Newbie" module. In this activity, students were required to create a poster under the guidance of facilitators, following specified criteria using the Canva application. This activity demonstrated the creative thinking and good digital technology skills of the indigenous students at SMK Ulu Kinta. Additionally, another activity conducted was "Lukisan Rosak" led by UiTM facilitators. This activity fostered teamwork and mutual trust among indigenous students. It not only showcased cooperation but also revealed the creativity of students in illustrating something so that it can be understood by those around them.

Several facilitators from UPM and UiTM were assigned to various locations within the school grounds for landscaping and landmark creation. The activities included painting walls and planting trees in the landscaping area of SMK Ulu Kinta. This activity was carried out as a voluntary contribution to beautify and enhance the school's premises.

The closing ceremony began with a program director's speech by Ms. Nur Nabila Shahirah binti Salim, followed by the closing ceremony officiated by Ms. Zaridah binti Othman, Principal of SMK Ulu Kinta, followed by the presentation of prizes and souvenirs to each student group. The event concluded with a photography session as a memento between UPM, UiTM, and SMK Ulu Kinta. The KIBPOA 2024 program received cash sponsorship from external sponsors and the Management of Cancelor's College, the Student Association of Universiti Putra Malaysia, and the Management of Endowments, Zakat, and Endowments Center (WAZAN), UPM.

UPM committee members are ready to depart to UiTM

Ice breaking and introduction session between UPM and UiTM committee members

The arrival at SMK Ulu Kinta, Ipoh, Perak

Aerobics activity

 Ice breaking activity and group distribution

‘What is Next After School?’ activity

 ‘Explore the Sciences’ Actitivy

Date of Input: 05/02/2024 | Updated: 05/02/2024 | fuziah