MELAKA, Jan 12 – The AIM4STAR collaborative initiative between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, and the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) made waves at the Earth Calling Boot Camp 2025, held from 10–12 January. The program focused on empowering both young minds and primary school students through innovative STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities to tackle climate change and build a sustainable future.
At the heart of this initiative was the dual focus on engagement and empowerment. The boot camp not only inspired 100 primary school students from Johor, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan to act against climate change but also provided a valuable platform for university students who served as facilitators. These facilitators gained practical leadership, mentoring, and technical skills, further enhancing their capacity to contribute to environmental sustainability.
Participants were actively involved in activities such as STEM-focused modules, thermal surface mapping using drone technology, tree planting, and learning computer programming and artificial intelligence (AI) applications for environmental monitoring.
The Earth Calling Boot Camp 2025 aligned closely with UTM’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 4: Quality Education. By fostering awareness and equipping students with actionable skills, UTM reinforced its dedication to empowering communities and cultivating future leaders capable of addressing global environmental challenges.
The program was made possible through the generous support of the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund from the U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to the U.S Embassy Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE) for opening this platform.
It was led by UTM’s Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU) and received additional support from Johor State Education Department (JPN Johor), JPN Selangor and JPN Negeri Sembilan, as well as Johor Bahru District Education Office (PPD Johor Bahru), PPD Kulai, PPD Seremban, and PPD Petaling Perdana, which facilitated student participation by selecting and coordinating the involvement of primary schools across these regions. Their contributions ensured the program reached underserved communities, giving students an opportunity to actively engage in impactful climate action initiatives.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurul Hazrina Idris, Chair of the program and the Alumni of Fulbright Malaysian Scholar, emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative. “This boot camp exemplified how partnerships between Malaysia and the U.S. can deliver transformative educational experiences, empowering not only young students but also university facilitators to become changemakers in combating climate change,” she said.
The U.S. Embassy Representative commended the AIM4STAR initiative for its focus on collaboration and education. “The Earth Calling Boot Camp showcased the strength of Malaysia-U.S. collaboration, nurturing future leaders in environmental sustainability,” she remarked.
With leadership from UTM’s Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, the Earth Calling Boot Camp 2025 has laid the groundwork for sustainable practices. Moving forward, the AIM4STAR initiative will continue its momentum with upcoming programs planned in May 2025, including visits to educational institutions and agencies, providing further opportunities for participants to gain exposure to cutting-edge climate technologies and strategies.
