BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – The Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) officially launched the first two titles of its IBER Field Guide Series, Flora of Ulu Temburong and Mammals of Ulu Temburong, on 13th November 2025, at Ruang Bicara Minda, UBD Library.
The event was held in conjunction with UBD’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, underscoring the university’s continued commitment to promoting biodiversity research, education, and conservation.
The launching ceremony was officiated by Dr Hazri Haji Kifle, UBD Vice-Chancellor, and attended by representatives from the Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), and the British High Commission in Brunei Darussalam. BIBD supported the publication of the two field guides under its social investment initiatives.
In her welcoming remarks, Dr Hajah Norhayati Haji Ahmad, Co-Lead of the IBER Field Guide Series Project, expressed that the publications represent a key milestone in documenting and communicating Brunei Darussalam’s biodiversity to both local and international audiences. The event featured a keynote presentation by Associate Professor Dr Rahayu Sukri, Project Lead for the IBER Field Guide Series and Principal Investigator of the Kuala Belalong Biodiversity Conservation Research Project, which serves as the scientific foundation for the field guides.
The IBER Field Guide Series highlights the rich flora and fauna of Ulu Temburong National Park, one of Brunei’s most pristine and ecologically significant rainforest areas. The two books provide accessible references featuring selected species, their ecology, conservation status, and field observations collected through long-term research conducted at UBD’s Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) and within the Ulu Temburong National Park.
Following the book launch, copies were presented to the Forestry Department and BIBD in recognition of their support for the IBER Field Guide Series Project and UBD’s biodiversity conservation and research initiatives. The guest of honour and invited guests also toured a special exhibition showcasing the Kuala Belalong Biodiversity Conservation Research Project.
In the afternoon, the event continued with the IBER Seminar Series, featuring talks by IBER researchers: Associate Professor Dr Rahayu Sukri, Dr Salwa Abd Khalid, and Dr Roshanizah Rosli, who shared insights on biodiversity research achievements, mammal diversity, and flora studies at Ulu Temburong. The seminar was open to UBD staff, students, and the public, aligning with IBER’s mission to foster environmental awareness and research collaboration.
Through these collaborative efforts, IBER aims to strengthen Brunei Darussalam’s leadership in biodiversity research and promote conservation education aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Wawasan Brunei 2035.