Bridging local and global orchid conservation

KUCHING: The MARA Junior Science College Kuching (Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Kuching) proudly welcomed Prof Hans Akkermans and Dr Anna Bon from the University of Amsterdam on Monday, September 16.

The distinguished guests visited the Jumaaini In Vitro Orchid Micropropagation (JIVOM) Laboratory and the MoBG, marking a significant event for the Sarawak Orchid Society (SARORSO) and showcasing their work in orchid conservation and community engagement.

Despite their diverse academic backgrounds, Prof. Hans noted the striking alignment between their objectives and SARORSO’s local conservation efforts.

The delegation was warmly received at MRSM Kuching by the Principal, Deputy Principal, two SARORSO representatives, and seven dedicated members of the JIVOM community. This group included two current Batch 2 students, Gwen and Ian, and three former students now in their first year of university.

Snippets of the activities with the visitors

Notably, one of the ex-students held the position of Youth Head for the Sarawak Youth Society, emphasizing strong community support for the project.

The commitment of these students and representatives, who attended despite the public holiday and school closure, underscored the importance of the visit and their dedication to the cause.

During the visit to the JIVOM Lab and Orchid Botanical Garden, the students provided an insightful introduction. They shared details about ongoing projects and SARORSO’s history, complemented by the society’s vision and mission prominently displayed on a banner.

The Batch 2 students and supportive university alumni elaborated on their work within the lab and garden, home to around 82 rescued orchids, with 98 per cent being epiphytes.

The students effectively conveyed their objectives and SARORSO’s broader mission, expressing a strong commitment to creating a replicable model for other secondary schools in Sarawak to promote sustainable economic orchid conservation.

After the engaging lab and MOBG tour, the group proceeded to the SARORSO headquarters, where they were warmly welcomed by the executive committee members, including Norliza, the Deputy President; Zahrah, the Head of Book Production; and Patricia, the Head of the Craft Bureau.

This segment allowed the guests to engage deeply with the society’s leadership and understand SARORSO’s conservation and educational initiatives better.

Dr. Cheah from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), accompanying the visitors, highlighted the central importance of the SARORSO headquarters visit.

Despite this focus, the guests were also invited to explore the JIVOM Lab and Botanical Garden, offering a firsthand experience of the pioneering in vitro orchid micropropagation lab and unique Orchid Botanical Garden developed by the school.

Dr Cheah expressed hope that the meeting would be beneficial for all involved, emphasising the potential for future collaborations between SARORSO and the University of Amsterdam.

Snippets of the activities with the visitors

This visit signifies a significant step in reinforcing SARORSO’s commitment to conservation, sustainability, and economic prosperity in Sarawak while fostering international academic partnerships.

The exchange with Akkermans and Bon provided valuable feedback and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaborations in achieving shared goals of community engagement, sustainability, and economic conservation.

These interactions demonstrate SARORSO’s dedication to bridging local and global conservation efforts and enriching educational and community experiences in Sarawak.