Photo caption: IIUM students were focusing on what had been delivered by one of the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) officers here at the main hall of Kem Bina Negara Maran, Pahang.
By Muhammad Basir Roslan
MARAN, 9 October 2015: Aimed at instilling a deep sense of patriotism to the nation, ninety seven IIUM students who were undertaking leadership course with CLASS were exposed to œCinta training programme at Kem Bina Negara near here for two days from 2 October.
Jointly organised by IIUM and Biro Tata Negara (BTN) the programme was held for the first time for the university.
œThe main objective of this camp is to instil patriotism for our beloved country and to generate understanding on the true meaning of independence in the hearts and minds of participants, said BTNs Programme Coordinator, Nuratiqah Amira Mohamad Murad.
She added that the idea of a collaboration was first coined by the Director of CLASS, Associate Professor Dr. Noor Azlan Mohd Noor, during the first meeting between IIUM and BTN recently. This programme will be the first of many to come.
The ˜CINTA module comprised of ice breaking sessions between participants and their facilitators, talks on the history of Malaysia, group exercise, jungle tracking and picnic in a jungle setting close to the camp. All of these activities were conducted by well-trained facilitators, assisted by six professional trainers from BTN.
œWe conduct training camps like this especially for youths as we want to break the so-called ‘Third-Generation curse as described by a renowned academician. The curse happens when third generation youths do not appreciate and strive as hard as their predecessors. We must overcome this to ensure a brighter future for the country, she explained.
Asyura Nadiah Mohd Nazlan, 21, who participated in the programme said she was initially reluctant to attend but found it to be interesting and beneficial.
Another participant, Asila Syahira Ahya Almuddin said that she was able to improve her time management skills and teamwork after going through the programme.***
Photos credited to Ahmad Amsyar Amin