By Siti Nurhasmira Abu Hassan, Centre for Knowledge Transfer, Industry and Community Linkages.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has taken another big step in strengthening its role in community development when it designated Kampung Menerong as a Kampung Angkat MADANI (KAM). The move was in response to one of the government’s initiatives introduced by the Prime Minister in the 2024 Budget.

The announcement of Kampung Menerong being designated a MADANI Village under UMT’s guidance was made during the Aidilfitri 2025 celebration at the Kampung Menerong Mosque.

This programme will be implemented using the Whole of Government approach to ensure rural residents have comprehensive access to basic facilities and development opportunities.

According to UMT Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry, Community and Digital Network), Professor Ts. Dr. Noor Maizura Mohamad Noor, RM1 million has been allocated to upgrade infrastructure and implement various community development initiatives in the village.

“The relationship between UMT and Kampung Menerong has long been established through various knowledge-sharing projects. Among them is the Stingless Bee Farming Project, which has led to the production of various stingless bee honey-based products and the establishment of the Kelulut Gallery as an information hub and marketplace for local products,” she explained.

UMT will provide support to ensure the success of the Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Little Amazon Project, which aims to highlight the natural beauty of Kampung Menerong to tourists. This community-driven tourism initiative will not only enhance the local economy sustainably but also promote the concept of ecotourism.

Additionally, village residents will be given the opportunity to participate in various university-organised exhibitions and carnivals, providing a direct platform for training and skills development. Through these activities, villagers can enhance their communication, confidence, and ability to market local products to a wider audience.

The entire programme is backed by the Dana Sejati MADANI fund, amounting to RM200,000, along with the Komuniti@UniMADANI initiative worth RM36,200. UMT students will be actively involved in the implementation of the projects, fostering values of volunteerism, leadership, and social responsibility among undergraduates.

Chairman of the Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP), Mr. Zainuddin Mohd, expressed the community’s gratitude to UMT and the government.

“With UMT’s support, we are confident that Kampung Menerong will continue to grow, not only economically but also in terms of education and the development of future generations in our village,” he said.

This initiative aligns with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI and has the potential to establish Kampung Menerong as a model of progressive rural community in the future.