Science students had a whale of a time exploring Perhentian Islands.

Passions and perspectives are born when students see for themselves why they slog to complete a degree.

“I’ve seen paradise. Crystal clear waters the colour of sapphire, bright blue skies, powdery white sand … I miss it already,” said Steven Wong, a third-year student pursuing tropical aquatic biology as a subject.

Along with 25 students under the tropical biology education strength, Wong spent four days in the Perhentian Islands in Terengganu. All were third-year School of Science students except for two pursuing their doctorates.

"This field trip has given me the opportunity to snorkel, an activity that I've never indulged in. Never have I seen such brilliantly colourful fishes and undersea creatures,” he said.

The trip was organised by Deputy Head of School (Education) and Senior Lecturer Dr Catherine Yule.

Lim Swee Yen found the filming of an educational video for a marine awareness program aimed at children in Kampung Mangkuk was a fun and rewarding experience.

"Not only did we get to enhance our knowledge and skills in communication and team work, the satisfaction of being able to contribute towards a good cause was really great!"

Vishalini Ghobe found that learning about environmental conservation was best outside the classroom.

"The activities were educational and fun at the same time. I learned a lot about turtles and coral reefs with the help of experts, and it was such an amazing experience and one of the best times I’ve had in my life,” she said, thanking the Sunway campus for funding the trip.

Ho Sook Mun said that with the experience, the possibility of working with non-governmental organisations could be considered; while Chen Su-Yi enjoyed watching a turtle lay its eggs was an “incredible experience.” Dr Yule said that the field trip was a way to bring lectures and readings to life while ensuring a unique experience for the students.

“Students could see the adverse impact of human activities on the coral reefs – many of which were severely degraded. They were able to participate in turtle conservation and think about how to protect turtles and increase awareness of conservation issues among local schoolchildren,” she said.

Among the activities were patrolling the Terengganu beach on the lookout for turtles to protect the nest from poachers, snorkeling to observe coral reef ecosystems and taking part in a coral survey in the bay - part of a worldwide survey of coral reefs examining degradation and rehabilitation.

Science students holding up drawings on a conservation theme made by students at a local primary school.