70 researchers from Unimas, SFCSB in scientific expedition
KUCHING: Seventy researchers from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) and Sarawak Forestry Corporation Sdn Bhd (SFCSB) are presently taking part in a scientific expedition titled ‘ Tanjung Datu National Park (TDNP) – Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS) Marine and Coastal Resources Expedition: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation’ from Aug 8 until Sept 29.
A press release said the expedition, jointly organised by Aquatic Science Programme, Faculty of Resource Science & Technology ( FRST), Unimas and SFCSB, kicked off at 10am yesterday at Sarawak Forestry’s corporate office here.
SFCSB general manager Oswald Braken Tisen representing SFCSB chief executive officer and dean of Faculty of Resource Science and Technology of Unimas Prof Dr Othman Bojo representing Unimas vice chancellor symbolically flagged off the expedition.
In his welcoming speech, Braken said this was the second expedition that brought Unimas and SFCSB to work together after the first ‘Pulau Sampadi Marine Life Expedition’ in 2012, adding he was grateful that both parties enjoy good partnership over the years which resulted in mutual benefits to the academic fraternity and relevant state agencies responsible for marine and coastal conservation efforts in Sarawak.
“The objectives of the expedition are to collect information and establish baseline data on the aquatic environment and its available resources from TDNP to SWS areas; contribute to the development of Sarawak Marine and Coastal Conservation Master Plan and identify and recommend potential sustainable economic activities for the local communities.
Meanwhile, Dr Othman urged all researchers involved in the expedition to make full use of the opportunity to work in a collaborative manner while sharing knowledge and exchanging skills for the betterment of biodiversity conservation and resource management, particularly for marine and coastal ecosystem at the localities.
“Various fields in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems will be covered with 22 specific research projects and the output of this expedition will be presented in Aquatic Colloquium, which will be organised next year at FRST, Unimas and published in an index journal,” he said in a statement.
Among those present were deputy dean of Faculty of Resource Science & Technology Unimas Dr Aida Shafreena Ahmad Puad, organising chairman Associate Prof Dr Ruhana Hassan and coorganising chairman for SFCSB, Abang Arabi Abang Aimran as well as management team of SFCSB and researchers from both parties.