History-rich Kent Teachers' Training Campus has the makings of heritage site, says Joniston

Bangkuai (third from left) visiting IPGK Kent in Tuaran.

KOTA KINABALU: A teachers’ training campus that was established during the colonial era in the Tuaran district has great potential to be made a state heritage site.

The Kent Teachers' Training Campus (IPGK Kent), with its 70-year history, is the first teaching campus in the state.

It was established in 1952 and was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent.

To this day, the IPGK Kent continues to preserve and store antique objects such as the first camera that was ever used by the college, as well as video recorders, projectors and paper compressors.

State Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, during a visit to the campus on Wednesday (Oct 26), said given the campus's rich history, IPGK Kent has the makings of an educational tourism site.

“It has been brought to my attention that the campus intends to make its Kent Education Heritage Centre a state heritage site.

“In my capacity as the assistant minister, I will do my level best to bring attention to this matter within the state government.

“I regard it as a good effort as it will cement Tuaran's position as the oldest centre of excellence in teacher education, in addition to its already-established status as a tourist hotspot,” he added.

Bangkuai visited the campus in conjunction with its 70th Platinum Jubilee Celebration Ceremony.

He toured the campus and visited galleries exhibiting old education-related artefacts, including scrolls and certificates, newspaper clippings, trophy awards and nostalgic photographs.

Additionally, Bangkuai suggested the campus administrator put together paperwork on making the campus a heritage site.

Present at the event were IPGK Kent deputy director Datin Dr Rosnah Edinin; academic excellence head Harun Sarail; student affairs chief Amidy Malagob; Social Science Studies department head Dr Jais Abdul Hamid and Kent Alumni Association president Adnan Ibrahim.

According to Rosnah, IPGK Kent, which is Malaysia's fourth teacher education institute, has successfully produced approximately 18,500 teachers who have served all over the country.

She added that the state government's commitment to support and strengthen the old campus site as a National Education Heritage site will make it one of the district's landmarks.

“Certainly, this can stimulate the local economy and become an ideal tourist attraction," she added.