USM PENANG, 2 February 2026 – Learning through experience would surely be something to remember for students from the University of Tasmania (UTAS), after being given the opportunity to visit the Istana (Palace of) Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar, in the state of Perak as well as to explore the archaeological history and geology of Lenggong, also in Perak, recently.

The academic visitation programme offers an overall exposure encompassing the royal legacy, early history of man’s civilisation as well as the importance of preserving the natural and cultural treasures as part of the learning experience on a global level.

At Istana Iskandariah, the students were taken for a tour around the palace grounds, in addition to a briefing given on the history and the role of the Malay Perak Sultanate in preserving the culture, tradition and the royal institution.

The visit was given the ‘royal treatment’ when traditional Malay food was served in the Royal Dining Room of Istana Iskandariah, at the same time introducing the gastronomic legacy which is an important element as part of the local cultural identity.

The UTAS students were then taken to Lenggong, where they were exposed to the archaeological and geological aspects through visits to important sites to view evidences of the existence of early man, as well as the change in the local landscape from over thousands of years ago.

The Lenggong archaeological dig site, which has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is the result of a continuous research done by former Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) lecturer, Professor Emerita Datin Paduka Dr. Zuraina Abdul Majid, who had made significant contributions to the discovery and understanding of prehistoric history in Malaysia and also Southeast Asia.

Such an exposure has helped the students to further understand relations between geological factors, the natural environment, and the development of man’s civilisation, aside from giving emphasis on the importance of the conservation of heritage sites as global sources of knowledge and learning.

The programme also supported the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), more specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) through fieldwork and experiential learning; SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through the preservation of cultural heritage, and archaeological and geological sites; as well as SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaborations with educational institutions and parties of interest.

We would like to extend our utmost gratitude and appreciation to Dato’ Pengelola Bijaya DiRaja Perak, Meor Hezbullah Meor Abd Malik; Toh Indera Jaya, Dato’ Ishak Haji Mohamed, along with all those involved for the warm reception and in ensuring the programme a success.

Original Text & Photo: School of Distance Education (PPPJJ), USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin