BRUNEI-MUARA

UNIVERSITI Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday launched its second boat named BIOFOS II to be used for marine life research.

Dean of Faculty of Science (FOS) Professor Dato Mohamed Abdul Majid said the new boat is also part of UBD’s efforts to help the Sultanate realise its goals included in Vision 2035, particularly develop competence of Bruneians and maximise the use of natural resources.

Speaking to The Brunei Times during the boat launch, the Dean of FOS said, “At the moment, UBD tries to go in line with the vision of the country: Vision 2035. One of it’s visions is to diversify the economy, that’s what we are doing. Two things: one is to develop the human resource capacity building, and secondly in terms of increasing in utilising our natural resources.”

He added, “The marine resources in Brunei have not been fully utilised, so we (FOS) are starting a new field in marine sciences, where students can choose to major in marine studies, and basically the research will be based on floral and marine life.”

“Much of the environment in Brunei, terrestrial and marine, is in pristine condition and by having two boats, hopefully it will be equipped to pursue research in the broad areas of tropical ecosystems and biotechnology, “ he said.

The new boat was purchased to enhance UBD’s facilities in conducting research on marine life.

It is also part of their effort to enter the list of Top 50 universities in the region.

“For the meantime, the boat will be used for research on coral reefs to be conducted by Associate Professor Dr David J W Lane.

Research on sea cucumbers for medicinal purposes will also be conducted, said Dr Lane.

With a width of 3.22 metres, BIOFOS II can carry 12 to 14 passengers at a time. The boat will be used twice a week for research purposes.

The launch was held at the Poni Divers’s site in Serasa Beach.

The Brunei Times