Kuala Nerus, 4 April – A total of 43 students from the Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (BIO-D TROPIKA), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, participated in the Pulau Bidong Scientific Expedition 2019 at the Pulau Bidong Nature Research Station on 1-3 April.

According to BIO-D TROPIKA’s Assistant Administrative Officer Sahrim Ngah, the main objective of the expedition was to conduct scientific research at Pulau Bidong by exploring the areas at the hill top and areas rarely surveyed by previous researchers.

“In addition, the other aims of the programme were to train young researchers and community researchers, and to publish books and articles in indexed journals”.

“The Pulau Bidong Scientific Expedition was another continuation to a series of expeditions organised at BIO-D TROPIKA earlier, which were scientific expeditions to Pulau Perhentian, to Pulau Redang, and to Tasik Kenyir,” he said.

Commenting further, Sahrim said that the expedition was held to obtain data or information on biodiversity and the history of the Vietnamese refugees at Pulau Bidong. In addition, the expedition was organised for the purpose of publication, as Pulau Bidong is one of the Nature Research Stations under the supervision of BIO-D TROPIKA.

He added that the expedition facilitated the data collection process for the publication of the Pulau Bidong book to complete the series of published books on Terengganu islands. The programme was also intended to train young researchers in the niche areas of sciences and social sciences. They were trained on how to conduct research and produce publications as well as to collect, update and publish the findings from the expedition.

Also taking part in the expedition were community scientists who intended to further develop their skills in conducting research.

Prepared by:                                                            

Noor Lida bt Che Lah

UMT

Published by:

Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

09-6684418/4261