by

The Web Manager

Claim of Writing
Except where acknowledged, the writing published in this web page is entirely that of the author

August 09, 1999

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During that time, there is no specific subject on urban forestry. The degree students, however, have gained their knowledge on urban forestry through exercises in multiple land uses, landscaping program and the choice of planting tree species for a particular site within the campus vicinity (Abdul Manap, as cited in Yusuf (1977)).

It was believed that urban forestry subject was introduced in mid 1980s, through the efforts made by one of the forestry lecturers, Mr. Zakariya Abdullah (fondly known as Pak Ya). As we can see from the students’ compilation of research abstracts, Pak Ya did an excellent job as a research project supervisor, with the help from his colleagues and faculty staffs. A lot of students have done their research projects on urban forestry and other related subjects under his supervision, where he always encourage his students to work independently with minimal supervision.

And if I’m not mistaken, between 1992 and 1995, Pak Ya did took a long break and went to live in the United States (to accompany his wife doing her Ph.D.). Then, in 1993, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thomas W. Kimmerer (fondly known as Dr. Tom) from University of Kentucky (UKy) at Lexington came to teach at the Faculty of Forestry on a short-term basis. Under his guidance and supervision, we, the whole class of second year degree students have a chance studying Tree Physiology, or what he preferred to say the word in Malay as “Fi-Si-O-Lo-Jii-Pok-Kook”. And that was in July 1993. And then again in December the very same year, we, the whole class of second year students, have a chance studying urban forestry for the first time under him. But this time, the situation was different! I remember at that time that his class always packed with students, including students from the Faculty of Agriculture, which taken his subject as an elective. And it seemed that nobody want to miss out his class! ***Sigh*** So, I have made a wild guess (about this situation) that it is an advantage for him as a foreign lecturer (and also for being a Mat Salleh or Omputeh) lecturing in an “alien” country, where most of the students do not have any chances to study abroad (particularly in the U.S. or U.K.).

Well, Dr. Tom is a funny guy and he really likes Malaysian type of breakfast food and beverage such as roti canai and teh tarek (and he always bring a mug of coffee into the classroom to be drink during recess time, which always makes us "gulped!") , and no wonder… Malaysian made cigarettes, too! (Oopss... I hope you don't mind about that, sir!). But then, his tenure as a lecturer at the Faculty of Forestry was ended in late 1995, so he went back to the United States. Well, I have heard from one of his collegues that he is still there in UKy. And to you sir Dr. Tom, we, as former students of yours would like to wish you all the best. You are always in our hearts and souls (please remember that... and forget about the politics! Just kidding....)

Right now, Pak Ya is back and resume his duty lecturing on urban forestry and park maintenance subjects. The students’ interest in taking these subjects also grew bigger and bigger and I hope that more efforts should be incorporated in making these subjects more relevant with future needs.

Well, that’s a little bit of history (and the untold story!) on urban forestry (in particular) teaching at the Faculty of Forestry, UPM.