OU-UCSF Partnership To Preserve Sabah's Natural Environemnt

By Emin Madi KOTA KINABALU, March 17 (Bernama) -- A memorandum of understanding was signed recently between Otago University, New Zealand (OUNZ) and University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF). It marked the beginning of a strategic partnership that may well transform beyond academic interest. In spite of the 'age difference', OUNZ which was established in 1869 and UCSF, which has yet to get its first intake of students, are showing through the joint initiative, their commitment to natural environment preservation. UCSF will be accorded full university status in three years' time, according to founding vice-chancellor Professor Dr Ghazally Ismail. In fact, UCSF’s collaboration with Otago University has much to do with Ghazally’s immense contribution in the research and conservation of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems in Borneo. He has served as chairman of Danum Valley Field Research Centre and was also one of the prime movers in the establishment of the Rafflesia forest reserve in the Crocker Range of Sabah. Ghazally strongly advocated that the rainforest in Sabah’s conservation areas be made a living laboratory, arguing that the "rainforest can be worth more standing than being logged". He further suggested that the three parcels of rainforest conservation areas in Sabah – Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon, be made the premier choice for researchers from other countries to study tropical rainforest. In this respect, Ghazally is optimistic that UCSF or for that matter, Malaysia and Sabah in particular, has a lot to benefit from its relationship with Otago University, especially in science communication using videos, films and new media. He also noted that many world acclaimed personalities who had graduated from Otago University had been going to Africa to film wildlife documentaries. “We would like to invite them to Malaysia, particularly to Sabah, and learn from them on how to produce world class documentaries about wildlife. “Our rainforest, especially in Sabah, are hardly explored scientifically and many inhabitants in there, the flora and fauna, are still unknown to science. “Together we can produce nature documentaries to show what we in Malaysia are doing for conservation,” he told Bernama. The vice chancellor hoped that nature documentaries about Malaysia, particularly Sabah would bring in more visitors to the country and further boost its tourism industry. The tourism sector is a major contributor to Sabah’s economy, bringing in about three million visitors a year. Chief Minister Musa Aman, who is also chairman of the Sabah Foundation Board of Trustees, said the foundation was keen to promote Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon as an eco-tourism product. The three conservation areas with a combined expanse of more than 100,000 hectares, are Class 1 Protected Forest Reserves. The Danum Valley conservation area comprising 438 sq km of primary rainforest is renowned for its rich diversity of animals. The Maliau Basin, dubbed Sabah’s Lost World is a gazetted cultural heritage under the State Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment. In early July last year, Sabah Foundation and Petronas launched the development of the Imbak Canyon conservation area in Ulu Kinabatangan, with a funding of RM77 million (US$20.83 million) from Petronas. The 27-hectare Imbak Canyon Study Centre, poised to become the central hub for research and studies on environment and biodiversity is scheduled for completion next year. Meanwhile, Otago University vice chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne was especially delighted with the OU-UCSF collaboration, which provides opportunity for both New Zealand and Sabah students to work together towards preservation of the natural environment. “Despite the difference in age of these two universities, we enter this partnership as equals and more importantly as friends. “Otago University is home to the genetics programmes in Australasia and largest science communication in the world,” she said. She said the university’s research department was also making important contributions to agriculture, climate change and conservation of native birds and marine mammals. The OUNZ-UCSF strategic partnership will be the basis of joint teaching and research opportunities between the two academic institutions. -- BERNAMA