KUCHING: Sixteen students of the Fourth Cohort Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science received their scrolls during a certificate presentation ceremony at Wisma STA (Sarawak Timber Association) here, yesterday.
The ceremony was graced by Pro-Chancellor and immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lincoln University, New Zealand, Professor James McWha.
Since 2004, employees of STA member companies have been studying about sustainable tropical forest management and forest certification through a Postgraduate Diploma from Lincoln University, New Zealand.
STA has taken on the role of developing and delivering training at all levels of the workforce in the industry in Sarawak and has been involved in skills training for many years as part of the sustainable forestry practice.
The Postgraduate Diploma, jointly developed by Lincoln University and STA, is aimed at managers in the forestry industry. It covers a wide range of topics to prepare graduates to deal with the environmental, social and economic requirements of sustainable forest management, as well as compliance with and implementation of procedures, auditing, and planning needed for certification of sustainable forestry.
The three-year part time course delivered in modular format allows students to study part time while continuing to work full-time, with a mixture of Lincoln University lectures and Sarawak forestry specialists.
The programme is in line with the state government’s drive towards a properly trained workforce at supervisory and management levels to ensure that forests are managed sustainably, efficiently and effectively.
“With the Fourth Cohort graduating, this course has now produced a total of 67 graduates, many of whom are now our managers in the industry implementing sustainable forest management plans.
“Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to all local and international experts and specialists, who had taught and generously shared their expertise, ranging from forest ecology, environmental impacts, timber certification, sociology, and economics to legal frameworks,” said STA honorary treasurer Choo Kwong Hui.
Two best student awards were also presented during the ceremony. Deborah Elaine Tai Hwe Lan received the Overall Top Student Award while Amy Wong Mee Ting received the Top Student Without First Degree Award.
Deborah is a graduate from Monash University with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) and is manager at Subur Tiara Holdins Berhad involved in sustainable forest management and Malaysian sustainable palm oil certification.
Amy is presently a supervisor with Shin Yang Forestry Sdn Bhd, Miri. She has been working with Shin Yang Group of Companies since 2005.
Also present was Dean of the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce of Lincoln University Professor Dr Hugh Bigsby.
