2022/23

Learning  about human impact on the environment

The 2022/23 offering of Special Topics in Social Science (AMU2455) brought 126 Monash University Australia (MUA) students and 33 Monash University Malaysia (MUM) students across Peninsular Malaysia to study human impact on the environment. The unit was delivered in conjunction with the relaunch of MUA’s mobility program, The Global Immersion Guarantee (ATS2992). Offered over two weeks, students from various courses and study interests were provided the opportunity to interact with activists, academics and communities to consider how the overarching challenge manifested on the ground, by examining real life concerns related to economic development, land reclamation, eco-conservation and heritage.

As part of the immersive experience, students were taken to several locations to observe effects of human impact on the environment. In Kuala Lumpur, students engaged in a walkabout, or jalan-jalan, around gentrified Petaling Street to learn more about urban conservation efforts by grassroot by local community organizations. They visited culturally significant Buddhist and Hindu temples; the River of Life, a government-backed project to clean up and beautify the Klang River which geographically spanned through the city center; as well as REXKL, a cinema built in the 1960s that was recently converted into an urban arts and culture hub.

The study unit also brought students North to Penang Island for four days. In smaller groups engaged in a variety of activities that were tied to specific themes and key stakeholders. To illustrate the importance of eco-conservation, students visited the Habitat Penang Hill, an eco-conservation attraction that was built within the Penang UNESCO Biosphere reserve.  There, students learnt about the implications of global interventions such as UNESCO in conserving local natural environments. They also hiked through the Teluk Bahang National Park with Dr Jo Leen Yap from the Langur Penang Project, who spent some time teaching students about the pertinence of human-animal coexistence in sustaining the island’s biodiversity. As part of expanding their knowledge on marine conservation and climate change, students were also treated to a visit to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), located in the Northern tip of the island. Run by Universiti Sains Malaysia, the centre’s academics shared their research on sustainable aquaculture and climate change, as well as their efforts in disseminating information to different local communities.

Another group of students engaged with Mr. Andrew Han from Jaringan Iklim dan Ekologi (JEDI) or The Climate and Ecology Network. He introduced students to coastal communities that were negatively affected by local government policies on land reclamation. Students interacted with fisher people who shared stories about their struggles to make ends meet and threats to local culture brought about by modern infrastructural development projects. Related to development policies, students visited the Penang Institute, a local think tank closely aligned to the local Penang government, to learn more about their research and policy advocacy on sustainability and conservation. Aside from this, students were also provided with the opportunity to engage with two historically significant local activist groups, the Consumer Association Penang (CAP) and Penang Heritage Foundation (PHT). These groups were pioneers in advocating for sustainable consumption and practices on the island. They shared their stories and experiences in campaigning for cultural and social heritage conservation.

After two weeks of immersion, students completed the study unit with a greater understanding of the varied impacts humans can have on the environment. Students are left with greater knowledge and tools to critically consider their contributions towards shaping the discourse and actions in ensuring more sustainable development and conservation.

Jalan-jalan Kuala Lumpur

The Habitat

Teluk Bahang National Park

Visit to coastal villages

Visit to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies

Group Photos