JOHOR BAHRU – On 2nd of March 2019, a total of 70 students from the Biosciences department of Faculty of Science participated in the Bio Outdoor Survival (BOS) program. The event was conducted at the UTM Recreational Forest (Hutan Rekreasi) facilitated by Biosciences Students Club members (Symbiosis) as well as academic and non-academic staff from the same department. The program was carried out in accordance with Faculty of Science’s Roadmap planning (MyRoadmap@FS) and supervised by Biosciences Student’s Development and Welfare Committee’s (JKPP Biosains) coordinator, Dr Mohd Farizal bin Ahmad Kamaroddin. The main objective of the program is to develop students’ survival and soft skills such as team-working and leadership skills.

    The program started at 8 a.m. with the Jungle Trekking event led by Dr Mohd Helmi Bin Sani which required participants to work in a team of five to perform various tasks and physical activities. Students were guided by facilitators and one jungle ranger from the forest to the observatory, braving their way through various obstacles. Upon arrival at the camp base, participants were given a task to cook eggs over a campfire without a pan. The objective was to let them to think critically of ways to survive with minimal resources.

    After lunch, the program continued with Explore Race event led by Syed Muhammad Nazirul Bin Syed Khalid and Symbiosis members involving water activities and games. Upon completing them,  participants were graded as a group and were awarded during the gift ceremony by the program’s director and the coordinator. One of the participants, Muhd Ajwad bin Mohd Salleh was quoted as saying “I actually didn’t feel like going today but after being pestered by my friends, I decided to come. Honestly, I did not regret my decision a single bit.” Overall, students who attended the program were happy and felt motivated after participating in the program.

Prepared by: Nur Izzati Syaheerah Tendot Izadin Tendot and Mohd Farizal Ahmad Kamaroddin