JOHOR BAHRU, 9 Sept. – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Library addressed the urgent challenge of climate change by hosting the Citizen Science Boot Camp 2025 (CSBC 2025), themed “Is Climate Change Written in the Sky?”. The two-day programme, held from 8 to 9 September 2025 at Perpustakaan Sultanah Zanariah and Balai Cerap UTM, Johor Bahru, brought together diverse communities in a shared mission to advance climate awareness through science and citizen engagement.
With global environmental challenges becoming increasingly pressing, CSBC 2025 provided a crucial platform for students, teachers, researchers, and the public to take part in interactive, hands-on activities. UTM Library positioned itself as a hub for citizen science, connecting researchers and communities through outreach, data collection, and storytelling to make science more accessible and relevant.
The boot camp also emphasised leadership, communication, and project management, equipping participants not only with scientific knowledge but also with the skills to contribute meaningfully to research and policy dialogues on climate change. Over the two days, participants explored thematic modules on Clouds, Sun, Heat, and Moon & Stars, alongside practical training in telescope usage. The sessions were guided by UTM experts, including Dr. Amni Haslinda binti Alpandi (Petroleum Engineering), Dr. Aimi binti Musa (Geoinformation), and Ts. Sr Dr. Kelvin Tang Kang Wee (Geospatial), and Sr. Gs. Dr. Othman bin Zainon (Astronomy and Geomatics).
The closing ceremony was officiated by UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, who commended the initiative as a model of science with societal relevance.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry said, “Over the past two days, we have seen how knowledge, curiosity, and collaboration can come together in meaningful and powerful ways. CSBC 2025 has allowed participants to explore the wonders of the sky—the Sun, Clouds, the Moon, and Stars—while connecting these cosmic elements to the pressing issue of climate change. What makes this programme truly remarkable is its unique approach of blending scientific learning with active citizen participation.”
He further emphasised, “I believe the knowledge and experiences gained in CSBC 2025 will not end here. Rather, they mark the beginning of greater awareness, stronger collaborations, and more innovative initiatives that bridge academia with society. Climate change remains one of the most urgent global challenges of our time, and programmes like this remind us that each of us has a role to play in protecting our environment.”
As CSBC 2025 drew to a close, UTM reaffirmed its commitment to driving impactful initiatives that merge science with community engagement, ensuring that knowledge catalyses climate awareness, resilience, and action, both locally and globally.
Source: UTM NewsHub