KUCHING – The Sarawak Orchid Society (SARORSO) has reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating a new generation of conservation-minded youth, emphasising education, applied research and community engagement as the foundation for long-term biodiversity preservation.
Speaking at the 3rd SARORSO Graduation Ceremony 2026, held at the Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub Library Auditorium, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Patron Puan Dayang Norjihan Binti Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent to ensure Sarawak’s presence on the international stage.
She noted that students from MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) had recently demonstrated this potential at the World Orchid Conference in Dresden, Germany, where they presented their research to global experts.
“When we invest in the development of the younger generation, giving them trust, guidance and appropriate opportunities, they can stand confidently on the international stage,” she said.
“When scientific knowledge is translated into practical applications that can be used by society, conservation efforts become more relevant, meaningful and resilient.”
The graduation ceremony marked the achievements of participants from SARORSO’s capacity-building programmes, designed to strengthen orchid and biodiversity conservation across Sarawak.
Graduates were encouraged to continue contributing through volunteer work, knowledge sharing and active involvement in community initiatives.
The mentor-mentee system was also highlighted as a way to ensure continuity, with graduates urged to guide future participants and foster new leaders in conservation.
Dayang Norjihan reflected on her role as patron, which she assumed following the passing of her mother, the founder of SARORSO.
She described the responsibility as a continuation of a legacy established since the organisation’s founding in February 2018.
“I see this responsibility as a trust to continue the legacy he started and help SARORSO step more confidently into the next phase of development,” she said.
She also reminded graduates to lead with humility, pursue lifelong learning and apply their knowledge towards building a sustainable and environmentally conscious Sarawak.
The ceremony underscored SARORSO’s broader mission of combining scientific expertise with community involvement to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Binti Haji Shukri; Sarawak Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Haji Len Talif Salleh, who also serves as SARORSO Advisor for Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Monitoring; SARORSO Founder and Chairman, Tengku Dr. Hajah Auvaroza Binti Tengku Abraham; and SARORSO President, Puan Zurenawatte Binti Zaidil.
The presence of senior leaders and policymakers reinforced the significance of SARORSO’s mission, aligning with Sarawak’s broader goals of ecological balance, youth empowerment and sustainable development.
With the graduation of its latest cohort, SARORSO continues to position itself as a key driver of conservation education and international collaboration.
