Zolkipli (second right) hands over a T-shirt designed for CIP to Ting as a sign of appreciation for STA’s support and funding towards the CIP for FMC, witnessed by others.
KUCHING: Drawing on the positive feedback received from graduates of the recently concluded Conservation Internship Programme (CIP) for Forest Management Certification (FMC) in 2017 and the supporting timber industry, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), with funding from Sarawak Timber Association (STA) are organising the second batch of CIP for FMC.
A simple opening ceremony was held at SFC’s corporate office yesterday, attended by interns as well as representatives from SFC and STA including SFC acting chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton and STA senior manager Annie Ting.
The second batch of CIP for FMC involving 15 shortlisted interns will commence this month and will continue to be assisted by several parties, such as the timber industry in providing industrial attachment, as well as international and local educational institutions and conservation NGOs in imparting knowledge and skills using revised training modules which include additional knowledge on conservation in other areas such as planted forests and oil palm plantation.
Graduates from this latest CIP for FMC will also be appointed as Honorary Wildlife Rangers (HWRs).
CIP for FMC was first developed in 2016 under the Research for Intensified Management of Bio-Rich Areas of Sarawak (Rimba Sarawak) to, among many others, address shortage of expertise in flora and fauna conservation practices in Sarawak.
The nine-month intensive programme includes classroom theory, practical/field exposure and attachment with Forest Management Units (FMUs).
To date, a group of 14 interns have graduated from the first CIP for FMC in a Certificate Presentation Ceremony held on Jan 17 this year.
The 13 conservationists are currently employed by timber companies in the state to assist them in achieving FMC, in line with the state government’s policy for all long-term timber licence to be certified by the year
2022.