KUCHING: The research collaboration spearheaded by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) through the Bako Research Station is open to international universities and not limited to domestic institutions, says Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit.
The UNIMAS Vice Chancellor said the collaboration could extend to countries like Japan and beyond, with the potential to deliver meaningful and far-reaching impact.
“This initiative is not limited to biodiversity research alone, but also spans disciplines like the blue and green economy — focusing on how conservation efforts can help improve community livelihoods,” he said when met by reporters after the launch of the Bako Research Station today.
He stressed the importance of inter-university collaboration across Borneo to ensure local researchers receive due recognition for their work in biodiversity.
“Researchers from outside Borneo may conduct studies here occasionally, while researchers from UNIMAS and other Bornean universities work on this daily. Yet, when findings are published, local names are often left out. This needs to change.
“That’s why through the Borneo Satellite Network (BoSaN), data such as known species, endangered species, conservation methods, and newly discovered species can be shared across Bornean nations.
“This initiative will unite researchers across the island and help raise the global profile of their contributions.
“Borneo is a unique island shared by three nations — there is no other island like it in the world. We must view this diversity as a strength,” he said.
He added UNIMAS is already engaged in research partnerships with several Bornean universities, including Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universitas Tanjungpura in Kalimantan, and others.
