Curtin students put photography, research and creative writing skills into practice on field trip to Niah

Miri – 12 May 2023 – 14 students in the Foundation and Diploma of Media Studies programmes at Curtin University Malaysia’s School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE) put their photography, research and creative writing skills into practice whilst on a field trip to the Niah National Park recently.

The field trip was part of the students’ learning assessment in their Travel Writing and Photography unit. It involved trekking along the jungle trails at the national park, visiting the Traders Cave and the mouth of the Great Cave. Accompanying them were lecturers Peter Jamba and Hanley Fong.

According to Fong, the field trip was designed to provide the students an opportunity to practice their photography skills and conduct research on the caves for their upcoming Travel Writing Assessment which requires them to write a travel writing feature article.

“The students were expected to put into practice the photography techniques they learned in class and document their experience in a real-world setting that cannot be easily replicated in a classroom setting,” said Fong.

During the field trip, the students were awe-struck by the beauty of the rainforest around the caves as well as the limestone formations in the area. Before entering the caves, they learned about some local customs, beliefs and taboos relating to the caves from some native peddlers at the rest stop.

In the Traders Cave, the students learned about the origins of the cave’s name and how it was used as a trading post by various communities since ancient times. They noted archaeological finds such as ancient pottery shards from different eras on display in the cave. This gave them valuable insights into the area’s rich history.

At the mouth of the Main Cave, the students found the limestone formations, expansive cave chambers and imposing stalactites and stalagmites very captivating. The unique lighting conditions within the caves offered the perfect opportunity for them to experiment with different photography techniques and capture the cave’s stunning natural beauty.

According to the students, they are looking forward to showcasing their photographs and research from the field trip in their upcoming assessment. They are also looking forward to writing about their unique experience and complementing their feature articles with the breathtaking photos they took.

In conclusion, the field trip was a highly immersive and transformative experience for the students, providing them with an opportunity to merge their passion for photography and writing with an exploration of the natural wonders and cultural heritage found at Niah National Park.

SPACE was established in 2021 with the aim of creating educational and training opportunities for youth so that they can unlock their potential, including foundation and diploma pathways to undergraduate study at Curtin Malaysia and other Curtin campuses. The School also provides professional education for working adults, including corporate training, short courses, and micro-credentials, to enable them to upskill and take their careers to the next level.

To find out more about SPACE, visit its website at cmspace.curtin.edu.my, or send an email to cm.space@curtin.edu.my.

Information on Curtin Malaysia can be found on its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok.

The students pose for a group photo at the mouth of the Great Cave