Introduction

Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC) was established since 2013, but however only officially launched by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as the Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam on the 3^rd February 2018 in conjunction with the 1^st international symposium on ‘Ethnobotany in the Qur’an and Hadith – An Exploration’.

The garden is situated nearby to the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) and lay on the natural ‘Kerangas’ from the Iban idiom, also known as Heath Forest, translate Kerangas means the land where the hill rice can not grow. Kerangas forest in Brunei is consider valuable as this forest type is only accounted about 6% of all the forest found in Brunei. It is also rather specific that it forms small forest patches at different places across Brunei mostly at the coastal line. In addition, this forest type is also very vulnerable to forest fire due to its dry habitat in nature and the native Kerangas species can be easily replaced by pioneer species as well as invasive species of Acacia trees. Conservation and preservation of this forest is important as some of the species are rather more commonly found in this type of forest as compared to other different forest types, such as that of Agathis borneensis (Tulong) and Gymnostoma nobilie which represent as an indicator species for good Kerangas forest.

Currently, the garden comprises 200 species inside the greenhouse and 100  around the trail. The number applies only for identified plant species with more species to be identified.

Aim and Objective

The main aim and objective of the set up of the UBD BRC is for research, education, ex-situ as well as in-situ conservation sites. The garden aim to conduct translational research where the findings are useful for the general public, herbalists and students on the different medicinal plants that are currently present in the garden.

The UBD BRC acts as a research testing ground where it promotes multidisciplinary research, linking research activity on plant discovery and conservation, scientific analysis and innovation, and collaboration with numerous national and international institution, wit the ultimate objective of creating medicinal products.

The research centre also serves as a test bed for UBD’s innovation with an interdisciplinary focus coming from the various disciplines across the university from engineering, internet of things, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, health science to humanities and entrepreneurship.

Situated nearby to the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) and Simpur Cafe, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Visiting hours:

Monday – Friday: 8am – 11am , 2pm – 4pm

Closed: Saturday & Sunday

For more information, please contact us at: office.brc@ubd.edu.bn