BUKIT TEBUAN HIKING PROGRAM DRAWS NEARLY 70 STAFF FROM USM ENGINEERING CAMPUS

NIBONG TEBAL, 30 October 2026 - Nearly 70 staff of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus (KKTSS) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) took part in the Bukit Tebuan Hiking Programme in Bandar Baharu, Kedah, held today.

Jointly organised by the KKTSS Director’s Office and the KKTSS Islamic Centre, the programme aimed to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle among staff while providing an opportunity for them to enjoy recreational activities and strengthen camaraderie through outdoor pursuits.

KKTSS Campus Director, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha, said the programme was part of the Santai Sihat initiative, which provides campus staff with opportunities to engage in physical activities beyond the workplace.

“Besides improving physical fitness, hiking activities such as this allow campus staff to appreciate the beauty of nature while spending quality time with their colleagues,” she said.

“I hope participation in activities of this kind will encourage staff to make exercise a regular habit and, in turn, help them achieve better overall health,” she added.

Meanwhile, Programme Director Mohd Kamil Ashar said the successful organisation of the programme was made possible through the cooperation and contributions of various parties.

He expressed his appreciation to the Bukit Tebuan management for granting permission to use the location for the hiking activity. He also acknowledged the Campus Director’s personal sponsorship of the lunch provided for participants at the KKTSS Islamic Centre after the programme.

Appreciation was also extended to TFD Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., through its Lipton Soda Truck Roving Activation, for sponsoring 100 bottles of Lipton Soda beverages for the participants.

The programme was also supported by four mountain guides, namely Ts. Fahmi Reza Abd Patah and Muhammad Syamim Abdul Razak, Engineer and Assistant Agricultural Officer from the Department of Development and Facilities Management; Abdul Halim Che A'at, Assistant Engineer from the School of Mechanical Engineering; and Mohd Suharudin Sulong, Assistant Engineer from the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering.

The organisers hope that programmes of this kind can continue to be held as a platform to encourage physical activity and foster closer relationships among the KKTSS USM community.

Text: Siti Faizah binti Abd Halim / Photos: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman