Varsity Team's Malaysia Day Mission to Fly Flag on Everest Base Camp

  PUTRAJAYA, July 10 (Bernama) -- Two lecturers and seven students from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) are focused on climbing up to the Everest Base Camp in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration in September. Dubbed the Everest Base Camp Programme, it will see the nine-member team flying the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) at the world’s highest base camp at 5,637 metres above sea level. It is also to mark the university’s 25th year anniversary. Team members were present at the Education Ministry where a briefing of the programme was held. Present to grace the occasion and applaud the team on its expedition which starts on Sept 6 was  Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik. In his speech, Maszlee emphasised the importance of students joining such programmes, which served as a platform to develop their potential and talents. It was also in line with the ministry's efforts to realise a holistic, progressive and world-class education system. He said such activities could build communication skills, competitiveness, the spirit of friendship and cultivate values ​​among students apart from what they learnt in class.   "It's not an easy mission because it demands both mental and physical strength and the highest level of discipline from each participant.“   Give the best in pursuing this quest for the nation, he said, citing the phrase “Do. Or do not. There is no try” – from the movie Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Maszlee also called for more companies to sponsor the programme as RM100,000 was required for flight tickets and sports equipment.   Meanwhile, the programme head who is also the only woman in the expedition, Dr Nur Kamilah Yusuf, said the team was practising hard for the trip. Preparations had been carried out to make their expedition a successful one, and that included climbing Gunung Stong in Malaysia's state of Kelantan, Gunung Semeru and Gunung Kerinci in Indonesia. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA