KUCHING – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has formally launched the 2026 Sustainable Land Use and Natural Resource Management (SLUSE) Joint Field Course in partnership with the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
The initiative continues a long-standing collaboration between the two institutions, focusing on sustainability science and practical field-based learning.
The programme will see 39 students and three lecturers from Copenhagen arriving in Sarawak to participate in the field component.
Activities will be conducted across six villages in the Sarikei region, offering participants direct exposure to rural community settings.
UNIMAS highlighted that the course is designed to strengthen understanding of sustainable land use, natural resource management, and community engagement.
By embedding students in real-world contexts, the programme aims to bridge academic theory with local practices.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit described SLUSE as a model of interdisciplinary education with transdisciplinary implementation.
He noted that the collaboration reflects the principles of transnational education, combining Nordic expertise in sustainability with Borneo’s biodiversity and community knowledge systems.
“This collaboration reflects the spirit of civilisational exchange and mutual learning. When Nordic sustainability expertise meets Borneo’s rich biodiversity and community knowledge systems, we create meaningful, real-world learning and solutions that go beyond the classroom,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor further emphasised that the initiative integrates academic frameworks with indigenous knowledge, enabling students to engage with agro-ecosystem practices, rural livelihoods, and community-based resource management.
Representatives from the University of Copenhagen, including Associate Professor Dr Xiaoye Tong and Associate Professor Marieve Pouliot, reaffirmed their institution’s commitment to sustaining this academic partnership.
Their presence underscored the importance of continued cooperation between Malaysia and Denmark in advancing sustainability education.
The academic framework and methodology for the 2026 cohort were presented by SLUSE-Malaysia Coordinators Associate Professor Dr Wong Swee Kiong and Dr Siti Nurbaidzuri Raily@Reli, outlining the structure of the fieldwork and research components.
The SLUSE programme also aligns with the UNIMAS Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which prioritises transdisciplinary education, biodiversity research, and international academic engagement.
The collaboration supports joint research, postgraduate cooperation, and field-based learning, strengthening ties between the two universities.
Since its inception, SLUSE has been recognised as a platform that not only enhances academic knowledge but also fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
The 2026 edition continues this tradition, reinforcing the role of education in addressing global sustainability challenges while empowering local communities in Sarawak.
