Tropical Research Experience: TREx 2023

Information for TREx 2023

*Last update: 12/12/2022

IMPORTANT DATES

TREx 2023 will take place on 12 June – 2 July 2023.

Application is now open: Apply here.

Application deadline: 31st March 2023

1. What is TREx?

Tropical Research Experience (TREx) is a research training programme offered by the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). TREx is an intensive 3-week training programme (1 week virtual & 2 weeks physical) which broadly revolves around the biodiversity, ecology and conservation of tropical rainforests and aquatic ecosystems. The programme will be built around lectures on key topics by scientists who actively engage in tropical field research. In addition, field techniques, practical and ecological examples of lecture material will be demonstrated during field sessions. The highlight of TREx is an 8-day research fieldwork at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC), a premier research centre of UBD that is located in a remote and pristine tropical rainforest.

2. What to expect

  • Learn about key topics on biodiversity and field techniques from research scientists.
  • Design and conduct a biodiversity-themed field research project.
  • Report research findings in a seminar.
  • Get involved in writing a manuscript (post-TREx).
  • A unique experience in a pristine tropical rainforest in Borneo.

3. Who is TREx for?

  • The course is tailored for current graduate students, recent or former university graduates as well as professionals. A background in Biological or Environmental Sciences will be an advantage. However, anyone with a Bachelor’s degree in any academic field is welcome to apply. 
  • For the requirement criteria please refer to the Information for Applicants document.

4. Programme Outline

TREx 2023 provides participants with an immersive course, offering an exciting introduction in the world of tropical research! Our course is targeted at graduate level students (local and international), and working professionals, and is aimed to train a new generation of field biologists. TREx exposes participants to field-based and hands-on, teaching and training of theory, techniques and experiments, at IBER and at our remote field station located in Ulu Temburong National Park in Brunei.

The course provides participants with a rich panel of invited speakers that have a proven theoretical and experimental research background, covering a wide range of topics in and aspects of tropical research and conservation. Throughout the program, enrichment components such as amphibian/reptile night walks, dawn bird walks and nighttime insect light-trapping, are provided under the guidance of experienced local researchers. The course program ends with group research projects designed by students themselves and presenting the results in a public research seminar.

Tentative topics and speakers are as follows:

5. Programme Fees

  • International participants: USD 2,500 
  • International participants from UBD’s partner universities: USD 2,200 
  • Brunei-based participants: USD 853

6. Enquiries

For enquiries, please e-mail: office.iber@ubd.edu.bn

For further information on the organiser, please visit the following websites by clicking on the logos:

Check out previous TREx programmes here: