KUALA NERUS – Despite having less abilities than their normal counterpart, the differently abled youths managed to dive underwater and see God-created wonders at the bottom of the sea, thanks to the encouragement and support from UMT and Diveheart organization.

Some 15 differently abled participants took part in the Special Ability Diver programme, facilitated by a group of professional scuba divers and held at Pulau Bidong, to boost the self confidence and the “Yes I can” attitude, by making scuba diving as a recreational activity.

Programme Director Baharim Mustapa said that the programme was aimed at giving the opportunity to the community to experience underwater recreational activities.

“The differently abled of every category including children, youths, and senior citizens, with vision impairment, hearing impairment, and congenital amputation, were able to experience something new in their lives through the underwater therapy, previously thought impossible given their shortcomings.
 

This programmed is hoped to be the starting point for the differently abled to make water activities such as scuba diving as a form of recreation and therapy to boost the confidence and sense of independence without feeling inferior”, said Baharim.

UMT was the first university to be certified as Diveheart adaptive dive buddy team last year.

“This feat was what prompted us to organize the scuba diving introductory programme to the differently abled of all ages including children and senior citizens,” added Baharim.

For further information:

Baharim Bin Mustapa

Programme Director/Head

External Operation and Field Division

Centralized Laboratory

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Tel : 09-6683221

Email : baharim@umt.edu.my

Published by:

Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu