Seventy students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) took part in a two-day industry-led team building programme with Amazing Borneo Tours (ABT), aimed at strengthening practical skills needed in the tourism and hospitality sector.
Held from 14 to 15 June 2026 at Shittim Camp, Tamparuli, the programme brought students beyond the classroom through outdoor challenges, group activities, career sharing, and direct exposure to tourism industry practitioners.
The initiative highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities and industry players in preparing students for real workplace expectations, particularly in Sabah’s growing tourism sector where communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability are essential.
Dr. Lesley Hiew, Operations Director of Amazing Borneo Tours and a PhD graduate of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, said practical exposure plays an important role in helping students understand the realities of the tourism industry.
Dr Lesley Hiew (left) and Sabah Parks representative Charmila Flora Miuse (Right)
“Tourism is ultimately a people industry. While technical knowledge is important, graduates also need the ability to communicate, solve problems under pressure, and work effectively with others,” he said.
“Many of the challenges faced in tourism operations cannot be fully replicated in a classroom. Whether it is managing guests, adapting to changing conditions or coordinating with different teams, these experiences require teamwork, leadership, and sound decision-making. That is why stronger collaboration between academia and industry is so valuable.”
The programme was facilitated by Amazing Borneo’s MICE team, with students taking part in outdoor challenge stations such as the 10 Feet Wall, Spider Net, Balance Bar, Army Crawl, Tarzan Swing, and Sky Bell. The activities encouraged students to build trust, improve communication, and work together to complete each challenge.
Facilitators observed that while some students were initially reserved, they became more confident and engaged as the activities progressed. Students were also involved in practical camp responsibilities, including setting up tents, preparing meals, and cleaning the campsite before departure.
These tasks gave participants hands-on experience in delegation, time management, and shared responsibility, all of which are relevant to the service and tourism environment.
The programme also included indoor team games and a career sharing session featuring representatives from Amazing Borneo Tours, North Borneo Cruises, and Borenos Fried Chicken. The session introduced students to career pathways across tourism operations, guest experience, event coordination, cruises, and food service.
On the second day, participants joined a guided hike at St. Veronica’s Hills, where tour guides and facilitators supervised the group and adjusted the programme according to safety and time considerations. The experience gave students a glimpse into the coordination required in outdoor tourism activities.
Representatives from Sabah Parks also conducted an industry sharing session, covering tourism development and insights related to Sabah’s protected areas and tourism landscape.
According to Amazing Borneo, programmes of this nature help bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice, while supporting the development of future tourism talent in Sabah.
As Sabah continues to depend on skilled people to deliver quality visitor experiences, partnerships between universities, and industry players remain important in building a workforce that is prepared, adaptable, and responsive to real-world challenges.
The programme concluded with students completing their campsite responsibilities before departure, reinforcing the same lessons carried throughout the two days: teamwork, accountability, and readiness for real-world tourism environments.