Aiming for safer trails, UPSI plans to set up mountaineering school

IPOH, May 30 — Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) is planning to establish a Mountaineering School to help stimulate the hiking industry while minimising incidents in mountainous areas.

UPSI Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff said the idea for such a school emerged from discussions with the President of the Malaysian Mountain Guides Association and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, who highlighted the need for a training and research centre focused on hiking and mountain-related activities.

He said the initiative also responds to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir’s call for universities to be attentive to societal issues and serve as centres for lifelong learning.

“The school will be open to all Malaysians as well as international participants.

“Its primary objective is to provide both basic and professional exposure in hiking, research and mountain rescue,” he said in a statement to Bernama today.

Md Amin said the school also aims to reduce the number of mountain-related incidents that have occurred frequently in recent years, with its two main areas of focus being skills development and research.

He said that, in line with the concept of lifelong learning, the school will offer a variety of courses related to the mountain industry, including research skills, hiking, rescue operations, environmental ethics, the socio-economic aspects of the hiking industry, nature interpretation, hiking event management and more.

“The courses to be offered will range from short-term programmes and professional certificates to academic qualifications such as diplomas, degrees and even Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes,” he said.

Md Amin said the school will be managed by the Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching and the Adventure Leadership & Outdoor Recreation Academy of UPSI.

He added that the school will work closely with various government agencies, including the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia, the Forestry Department and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).

The collaboration will also involve the Malaysian Mountain Guides Association, Forestry Mountain Guides and various international organisations such as Outward Bound, National Outdoor Leadership School and Bradford Woods.

Md Amin said the school’s instructors will comprise experts from the outdoor recreation industry both locally and internationally, as well as lecturers from higher education institutions in relevant fields.

“UPSI hopes that the establishment of the Mountaineering School will produce a generation of sustainable hikers and, at the same time, help minimise incidents in mountainous areas,” he said. — Bernama