BINTULU: The role and capability of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which is among the country’s leading institutions of higher learning, in environmental and forestry research efforts have been recognised through its appointment as the forestry research hub in Sarawak.

       UPM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Roslan Sulaiman (pic) said the appointment of the UPM Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) as a research hub and the allocation RM10.95mil from the Sarawak government would spur more forest research activities to be carried out by the university.

       He explained that with the existing expertise and research technology available at the UPMKB Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry, more studies could be carried out to assist the Forestry Department of Sarawak (FDS), including in the fields of forest management, plant diseases and biodiversity, in the state’s rainforest.

       "The announcement of the fund is proof and support of the Sarawak state government in developing forestry research in Sarawak. This is surely good news for all our active researchers.

       "At UPM, we always share research results and, in Sarawak, we have a very close cooperation with the FDS and other agencies so that the results could be applied and implemented for forest management, especially in conservation efforts," he told Bernama.

       He said the fund would continue to strengthen UPM’s capability in research, which would then help the state government and agencies involved to prepare more holistic initiatives and policies in the forestry sector.

       He added that, apart from supporting the state government, UPM also welcomed more agencies and corporate companies to forge cooperation with the university, which would then open up more space for development in forest research.

       Among the forestry research projects of the UPMKB include the tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UPM, Sime Darby Plantation and FDS; Payeh Maga highland research in Lawas, flora and fauna data collection expedition in the Bukit Kana National Park (Bintulu); management plan of Gunung Pueh (Lundu) and Usun Apau (Belaga) plateau; and research in the Similajau National Park (Bintulu).

       Other than that, UPMKB had also been made the Borneo Ethnic Research Hub through the establishment of the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Chair in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak as well as intensifying the tree planting programme in the state.

       At the opening of the International Conference on Forest Resource Management 2021 here on Friday (Dec 11), Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the allocation to UPMKB in an effort to increase relevant research activities in the field of forest management.

       Abang Johari said the effort was the state government’s commitment, in line with its aspiration to make Sarawak a developed state by 2030, while maintaining its rainforest ecosystem and biodiversity. - Bernama