Birding certification module after MoU Signing

24 July 2025

KOTA KINABALU: A new birding certification module has been officially introduced following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and the Sabah Birdwatchers Association.

Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, and Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said the module’s launch is timely, given the growing interest in birdwatching as a promising segment within Sabah’s tourism landscape.

“According to birding experts, the UK alone has around six million active birders, while the figure across Europe is estimated to be close to 10 million.

“If we can attract even just one per cent of that market, it would represent a strong starting point for Sabah,” he said after witnessing the MoU signing ceremony on Wednesday.

“These figures clearly demonstrate the potential, and show that Sabah is moving in the right direction in tapping into this growing niche,” he added.

The MoU was signed by UCSF Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Rafiq Idris and Sabah Birdwatchers Association President Ronald Pudin. The event also marked the launch of the certification module, Discover the Birds of Borneo: Sabah’s Feathered Jewel, designed to train and certify local birding enthusiasts and tour guides.

Supported by the Sabah Tourism Board, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to develop birdwatching into a structured, sustainable, and nature-based tourism product.

Joniston highlighted that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening eco-tourism, while also generating employment and stimulating rural economies. Birdwatchers, he noted, tend to spend more, stay longer, and explore lesser-known destinations.

“I hope this module will inspire more rural youth to take up birding and acquire valuable skills that can lead to meaningful livelihood opportunities.

“By equipping locals to become certified bird guides, we are opening up new income streams while fostering long-term environmental stewardship.

“When communities recognise the value of conserving their forests and wetlands, they are more likely to take part in conservation efforts—and that’s the kind of sustainable tourism we are aiming to promote,” he said.