Matthew Vergara is a first-year student studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of Nottingham Malaysia who will soon be completing his industrial internship at The Habitat. He shares with us some impressions from his experience at The Habitat Foundation.
Q : What are some skills you’ve gained from working here?
A : I’ve learned a lot since starting my internship here. I’ve mostly worked with communications for the Habitat Foundation, and from that, I’ve realised how important it is to communicate messages and disseminate information to stakeholders and the public effectively. It’s as important as the actual research and conservation work being done.
Q : What has been the highlight of your internship?
A : The highlight has definitely been going out into the field with Langur Project Penang to survey Dusky Langur behaviour. There’s a lot that goes into observing wildlife in the field that I haven’t really thought about, like the methods for data collection, understanding the social structures of these primates, and just how much dedication researchers have for their work. It’s grueling work!
Q : Has your time here impacted your views on conservation?
A : Definitely. The staff here at The Habitat Foundation as well as our research partners have an incredible passion for their work, almost seeing it as a responsibility which they have to carry out. In my mind, it has reinforced the fact that conserving natural habitats and biodiversity is truly important, and something that I hope to contribute towards after I graduate.
