YSD, UNM partner to launch nation’s first digital course on human-elephant conflict mitigation
The online course represents a major step forward in our efforts to make conservation knowledge more accessible to those living and working alongside elephants.
NUR ADNIN MAHALIM
SHAH ALAM - The Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME) at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), in partnership with Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) and supported by the Madani Government under Belanjawan 2025, has launched an online course focused on human-elephant conflict and coexistence.
Developed for plantation workers, sustainability teams and local communities, the course aims to make conservation education more accessible and practical for Malaysians living near elephant habitats.
“This online course represents a major step forward in our efforts to make conservation knowledge more accessible to those living and working alongside elephants.
“By combining ecological insights with practical safety protocols and conflict mitigation strategies, we’re equipping the communities in plantation and agricultural sectors with the tools they need to respond confidently and compassionately during human-elephant encounters," said Dr Wong Ee Phin, Principal Investigator of MEME and Associate Professor at UNM.
Since MEME’s establishment in 2012, YSD has contributed over RM10 million to support elephant conservation efforts.
This partnership has enabled major achievements such as GPS-collaring of 54 wild elephants, development of national SOPs for human-elephant conflict management and the creation of Malaysia’s first free online module on elephant coexistence.
MEME has also conducted 63 awareness programmes, reaching over 22,000 people and supported 16 postgraduate students through research initiatives.
"In an era of land-use change, climate pressures, and the urgent need to decarbonise, understanding how humans and wildlife interact is no longer optional, it’s essential," UNM Research and Knowledge Exchange Vice Provost Professor Dr Mohd Shahir Liew said.
By making conservation knowledge more accessible to everyone, Yayasan Sime Darby Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin said they are laying the groundwork for safer, more sustainable coexistence.
“The true challenge is not just learning to live alongside elephants, but ensuring that this knowledge is shared widely, so that everyone can discover how to coexist respectfully and sustainably,” she said.
The course, available in both Malay and English, consists of three modules with three lessons each.
The first lesson of Module 1 is now open to the public for free, supported by the Madani Government under Belanjawan 2025 and the continued partnership between YSD and UNM.
Interested participants can access the course via www.ace-coalition.com.
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