Students take part in the gula apong production process.
KUCHING (May 1): Eleven students from the Certificate in Adventure Tourism programme at Kolej Komuniti Betong were given exposure to community-based tourism practices through the ‘Kembara Interpretasi: Estetika Gula Apong dan Kelestarian Rekreasi Komuniti Betong’ initiative held in Kabong and Pusa recently.
The programme, organised by the college’s Academic Unit of Certificate in Adventure Tourism, involved students together with five officers and lecturers in collaboration with the local community.
It aimed to strengthen students’ practical learning through an experiential approach, covering areas such as community-based tourism, event management, tourism interpretation and recreational tourism.
During the programme, participants were exposed to community-based tourism activities, including the production of gula apong (palm sugar) in Pusa.
They took part in demonstrations and engaged with local residents to better understand the traditional production process, which also serves as a source of income for the community.
Student Siti Nuraina Musa said the experience gave her a deeper appreciation of the process.
“I had the opportunity to observe closely how gula apong is made and appreciate its authentic taste, while interacting with local producers who shared the challenges of preserving this tradition,” she told The Borneo Post.
Kylie Kueh Shi Qin shared similar views, noting that witnessing the process from sap collection to the final product highlighted the skill involved.
“The experience made me realise the patience and expertise required, as well as the significance of preserving traditional heritage,” she said.
Apart from the cultural component, the initiative also featured various recreational activities such as night walks, stargazing and a visit to the Pasar Tamu Pusa.
These activities aimed to enhance environmental awareness through the application of the ‘Leave No Trace’ concept.
Fernandez Jufelson Felix Babang described the programme as enriching, highlighting both teamwork and nature-based experiences.
“I gained a lot of new experiences, including working together in group activities and witnessing unique natural phenomena such as jellyfish along the Kabong beach,” he said.
Alexzendar Tindit Kandau said his first beach camping experience was memorable.
“It was my first time camping by the beach. I also learned how to obtain sap from the apong tree, which strengthened my bond with friends and lecturers,” he said.
Collin Pengiran Unjie said the programme helped improve his event management skills while fostering camaraderie among participants.
Nur Amanina Faizul William described the programme as both enjoyable and educational.
“I was exposed to the techniques of making gula apong and its economic value during the visit to Pusa. I hope more students will have the opportunity to join similar programmes in the future,” she said.
Overall, the programme provided students with the opportunity to plan and manage activities while enhancing soft skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork.
The organiser said such initiatives can help produce more competitive graduates for the tourism industry, while promoting local products like gula apong and supporting the development of community-based tourism in Betong.
