Venue: PWTC, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 30 August - 2 September 2007

Members of the Pavilion pose with the "Best State Government Booth" Award after the Expo

SBC, the State Planning Unit (SPU), the Information Communications Technology Unit (ICTU), Yayasan Sarawak, the Sarawak Museum, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and the Sarawak Timber Development Corporation (STIDC) made up the Sarawak Pavilion at the 50 Years of Nationhood Expo. The Expo was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Haji Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. We are also proud to note that the Sarawak Pavilion won the award for the Best State Government Booth at the Expo.

Venue: SBC Lecture Theatre
Date: 8 August 2007

Peter Boyce holds up a sample of the Araceae as he explains its features to the workshop participants

A workshop entitled "The Araceae - An Introduction to Their Morphology, Systematics and Study" facilitated by Peter C. Boyce of Malesiana Tropicals and Wong Sin Yen of UNIMAS was held at SBC on 8 August 2007. The one day workshop covered an overview of Monocot Morphology, an introduction to the Araceae, identification techniques, and tips and techniques for the preparation of useful herbarium vouchers and ancillary collection. A hands-on session was also held on the dissection of leaves, inflorescences and fruits. Thirty nine participants from various departments/organisations namely State Planning Unit, Agriculture Research Centre, UiTM Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Forestry, Flora World, AIA Co. Ltd and individuals with interest in Araceae took part in this workshop.

Venue: Semengoh Forest Reserve
Date: 19 - 22 June 2007

SBC's Traditional Knowledge Documentation team participated in a Plant Training workshop organized by the International Tropical Timber Organisation. The workshop was conducted by Dr Pau Chai form ITTO and featured lectures on the different habitats found in Sarawak, plant identification and sustainable forest management. The participants also had the opportunity to put to practice their plant identification skills during a hands-on field work session at the Semengoh Forest Reserve.

Venue:SBC Lecture Theatre
Date: 20 April 2007 (Friday)

A public awareness talk entitled Intellectual Property: Requirements for Obtaining Patents and Filing Patent Applications was held on 20 April 2007 at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre's (SBC) Lecture Theatre at Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh. The talk, organized by the Centre will be delivered by Mr Ong Chui Koon, the Principal Consultant and Head of the Intellectual Property Services Section for SIRIM BERHAD. Mr Ong is also a Registered Patent, Trade Mark and Industrial Design Agent as well as a Commissioner for Oaths with the High Court of Malaya. During the session, Mr Ong covered three very interesting topics - Requirements for Obtaining Patent Protection for Inventions in Malaysia, Filing Patent Application Overseas: National Versus PCT Application and Managing Confidential Information in an Organisation. The talk was attended by representatives from the legal fraternity in Kuching, local research establishments and higher institutes of learning, the State Attorney General's office, other relevant agencies and members of the public.

Venue: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Kuching, Sarawak
Date: 6 December 2006

LaFleur gets a whiff of Sarawak – The Ambassador samples Essential Oils extracted from indigenous plants. Looking on over the Ambassador’s shoulder is Dycaico.

The Ambassador of the United States to Malaysia, His Excellency Christopher LaFleur paid a visit to the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC).  During his visit, LaFleur was given a briefing on the roles of the Centre and its activities in the State by SBC officers.  He found the Centre’s  Traditional Knowledge Documentation Programme particularly engaging and was impressed with the work that had been carried out by SBC with the diverse communities in the State to help them document their traditional knowledge on the utilization of biological resources.  LaFleur was also taken on a tour of the Centre’s R&D Facilities.  He expressed hope that he would be able to link SBC with US based research establishments and companies for future potential alliances, through the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.  LaFleur was accompanied by Peter Dycaico, Economic Officer (Environment, Science, Technology & Health) of the US Embassy.

Venue: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Kuching, Sarawak
Date: 28 November 2006

SBC’s Acting Director and Senior Research Officer, Dr Charlie Yeo explains how plants are prepared for extraction to Garcia and Foo as SBC’s Research Officer, Margarita Naming, looks on.

Representatives from the Embassy of Spain, Mr Antonio Garcia  (Economic and Commercial Councilor) and Mr Alex Foo (Deputy Trade Analyst) visited SBC .  The visit, according to Mr Garcia, was to follow up from where Delegation of Ambassadors of the European Union had left off when they visited on 16 November 2006.  He indicated that Spain was interested in exploring areas in which the country could cooperate and possibly collaborate with SBC in terms of Biotechnology and R&D.

Venue: Crown Plaza Hotel Riverside Kuching, Sarawak
Date: 6-8 November 2006

SBC Trainees demonstrate how plants are prepared for extraction in the Centre’s preparation room

A total of 120 people, comprising of organizers, speakers and participants of the National Conference on Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation that was held in Kuching recently literally had a field day on 6 November 2006 when they participated in a Scientific Tour organized by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC). 

The first stop for the participants of the tour was the Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) in Semengoh, Kuching.  Here they were given a guided tour of the Centre’s Myding Project, Herbs Project, Indigenous Fruits Project and Coloured Rice Project.  The tour around the ARC was led by researchers, Mr Lau Cheng Yuon and Mr Chai Chen Chong.  The participants who were mainly from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah had the opportunity to taste of indigenous fruits like Isau (Dinocarpus longan Lour) or Green Longan and see what the Dabai fruit looks like.

The participants of the Tour then moved on across the Semengoh road to visit SBC where they were first treated to lunch, briefed on the Centre’s research activities and taken on a guided tour of SBC’s R&D Laboratories and the Laila Taib Ethnobotanic Garden.

Rimong Sutur (right) explains to some of the tour participants how the Setambar Besi is prepared, traditionally.

From SBC, the participants moved on to Kampung Semadang where SBC facilitates the documentation of Bidayuh Traditional Knowledge.  Here the community members showed the participants their garden of useful plants, explained how they carried out TK documentation and demonstrated the use of two plants – Bebi and Setambar Besi that are used as a mouthwash and as a relieve for piles, respectively.

Dr Mohd Yusoff Abdullah, Chairman of the Conference’s Main Organising Committee, was impressed with the work that has been carried out by SBC and the local communities in documenting Traditional Knowledge.  On the Scientific Tour, Dr Yusoff affirmed that it was a unique and enlightening experience and he looked forward to visiting the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre and Kampung Semadang again in the near future.

The National Conference on Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation was jointly organized by MARDI, SBC and the Department of Veterinary, Malaysia

Venue: Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites
Date: 12-13 Dec 2005

The Seminar, organized by SBC and supported by the Intellectual Property Training Centre, INTAN (IPTC INTAN) and Malaysian Intellectual Property Organisation Inc (MyIPO) saw a participation of 102 individuals from government agencies, industry players, higher institutions of learning and the legal fraternity from Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, as well as representatives from the many indigenous communities in Sarawak. 

The Seminar was aimed at bringing together the legal fraternity, policy makers, industries and indigenous communities to sensitize them on such issues and address topics such as the concerns in IP, Traditional Knowledge and Bioprospecting; integrating scientific, legal and business aspects in genetic based research as well as discussions on present efforts undertaken in Malaysia to ingrate IP in the three areas mentioned.  State Secretary & Sarawak Biodiversity Council Chairman, YB Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Haji Husain officiated the closing of the seminar where he called upon the urged the legal fraternity in Sarawak to equip themselves with knowledge and skills in Intellectual Property Management, particularly where traditional knowledge and genetic resources are concerned.

Venues: SBC, Kampung Semadang, Padawan & Rumah Lulut, Kapit
Date: 25-30 October 2004

This workshop was aimed at introducing and subsequently training community trainers on methods that could be used in documenting Traditional Knowledge (TK).   A resounding success, the workshop attracted 40 participants and facilitators from 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific Region – India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sr Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, as well as Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and the local communities of Sarawak.  The local participants who took part in the workshop were the Penan communities from Long Iman and Batu Bunga in Mulu, the Iban community from Rumah Lulut, Bidayuh communities from Kampung Semadang, Kawasan Serin and Kampung Kiding in Kuching and the Kelabit communities from Pa Ukat and Pa Lungan in Bario.  Facilitators from SBC, Global Environment Fund-United Nations Development Programme (GEF-UNDP), International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and the Kyanika Adult Women’s Group (KAWG) were present to ensure the participants benefited from the workshop. 

Participants were introduced to some basic TK concepts in classroom presentations by the facilitators at SBC, followed by a site visit to Kampung Semadang where the Bidayuh community there briefed the participants on their TK documenting activities.  This was followed by a dinner hosted by the community of Kampung Semadang that was attended by State Secretary and Chairman of the Sarawak Biodiversity Council, Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Haji Husain as well as YB Dr Jerip Susel and YB Larry Sng who championed the TK Documentation projects in Kampung Semadang and Rumah Lulut respectively.

In Rumah Lulut, the participants and facilitators spent five days with the local community learning how to collect, document, curate and propagate useful plants, carry out hands-on activities pertaining to TK Documentation and sharing experience on their respective TK Documentation activities. 

The success of the workshop has prompted the UNDP office which coordinates the Global Environment Fund to nominate SBC as the Centre of Excellence for Traditional Knowledge Documentation for the Asia Pacific Region

Venue:Sarawak Biodiversity Centre
Date: 30 April 2004

State Secretary and Sarawak Biodiversity Council Chairman, Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Haji Husain launched the Special Issue of the Sarawak Museum Journal entitled Sarawak Bau Limestone Biodiversity  in conjunction with Hari SBC Bersama Pelanggan at SBC.  Among the highlights of the event were a public lecture entitled “Bau Limestone Biodiversity: Reflections and Contemplations” by Associate Prof Dr Peter Ng from the Raffles Museum of Singapore, a presentation entitled “SBC Bioprospecting Programme: An Overview” by SBC’s Senior Research Officer Dr Yeo Tiong Chia and the Workshop on Risk Communication and an exhibition  on Bau’s Limestone Biodiversity.

Venue:Multimedia Theatre, UNIMAS, Samarahan
Date: 21-23 October 2003

Organised in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and with the support of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity Conservation (ARCBC) the 3-day seminar was held at UNIMAS to present the findings of the 30 months Bau Limestone Inventory Project.  Among interesting findings that were  presented during the seminar were that of a new species of begonia (Begonia lailana), three new species of crabs (Ibanum pilimanus, Coccusa cristiservix and Geosesarma bau), two new species of crabs (Betta ibanurum and Gastromyzon ocellatus), one new species of wild banana (yet to be named) and one new natural hybrid of Nepenthes (Nepenthes x bauensis). 

Deputy State Secretary, Datu Wilson Baya Dandot chaired the Panel Discussion and officiated the closing of the seminar on the third day.  The proceedings of the seminar were published as “Sarawak Bau Limestone Biodiversity: A Special Issue of the Sarawak Museum Journal” 

Venue:Demak Jaya, Kuching
Date: 23 September 2003

A new species of begonia which was discovered during the Bau Limestone Inventory Project carried out by SBC was officially dedicated to Datuk Amar Hajjah Laila Taib in the presence of 380 invited guests during the high tea event at the Chief Minister’s Residence, Demak Jaya.  The Begonia lailana which was named after Datuk Amar Hajjah Laila in recognision for her   passion for nature was found to be endemic to the Bau Limestone  Areas and belongs to the cane-begonia group.  During the event, Datuk Amar Hajjah Laila was also presented with a specially created rendition of the Begonia lailana by renowned artist Ramsay Ong and a live Begonia lailana plant.

Venue: Bau Civic Centre
Date: 20 September 2002

The Limestone Poster which depicts the rich biodiversity found in limestone areas in   Sarawak was launched at the Bau Civic Centre by Assistant Minister of Planning and  Resource Management, YB Datuk Alfred Yap Chin Loi. A total of 264  persons comprising of community leaders, heads of departments, government officers and school students attended the launching where  they were briefed on the Bau Limestone Inventory that was being carried out by SBC and on the rich and unique flora and fauna species found in the Bau Limestone Areas by SBC’s Chief Operating Officer, Eileen Yen Ee Lee, Community Leader, Temenggong Datu Stephen Jussem,  Director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research Singapore, Dr Peter Ng, Senior Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Dr Yong Hoi Sen and SBC Research Officer, Margarita Naming. An exhibition showing some of the flora and fauna specimens  collected from the Bau Limestone Areas was also put up by the Centre at the launching venue.

Venue: Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites, Kuching
Date: 26-27 April 2002

Organised in collaboration with Marditech Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Herbal Corporation the seminar was aimed at creating greater awareness on the prospects of the herbal industry in the State.  The 212 participants who consisted of policy makers, government officers, planters, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, traditional medicine practitioners, investment bankers, lecturers, researchers, investors, management consultants, media representatives and interested members of the public also had the opportunity to obtain first hand advice from experts in product development and business financing. State Secretary and Sarawak Biodiversity Council Chairman, Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Haji Husain officiated the seminar and delivered the paper entitled “Sarawak’s Natural Resources for the Herbal Industry” which gave an overview of resources available in the State.

The forum was organized on the following day was a follow up to the seminar, to provide a platform for stakeholders in the local herbal industry to discuss critical issues for further development in the    industry.  A total of 84 persons participated in this round table forum.  They were made up of a focused group of policy makers, representatives from government agencies, manufacturers, researchers, traditional medicine practitioners and researchers.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries, Dato Sri Haji Adenan Haji Satem officiated the forum as well as contributed ideas and   advice during the forum

Venue: Penrissen Inn, Kuching
Date: 20-21 Nov 2001

The first awareness workshop on TK Documentation was held from 20 to 21 November 2001 for representatives of the 4 major indigenous groups in the State - Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau & Orang Ulu. A total of 80 representatives from the four communities attended the workshop in Kuching.  During the workshop, the participants were sensitized on the importance of documenting their traditional knowledge on how they utilize and manage biological resources around them.  They were also introduced to methodologies used to document traditional knowledge by experienced resource persons Dr Paul Quek (IPGRI), Mr James Mumo Mutio from Kenya, and Professor Dai Luyuan of China.

The workshop was officially launched by the then Assistant Minister of Planning and Resource Management, YB Datuk Alfred Yap Chin Loi.

Venue: State Legislative Assembly, Petra Jaya
Date: 22 May 2001

The proceedings of the Biodiversity 2000 Conference that was held from 1-3 November 2000 was launched on 22 May 2001 at the State Legislative Assembly building by the Chief Minister, YAB Pehin Sri Haji Dr Abdul Taib Mahmud.  The 234 page compilation comprises working papers and views expressed during the international level conference and was compiled by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre.

Venue: Crowne Plaza Riverside, Kuching
Date: 1-3 November 2000

The objectives of this conference were to take stock of the status of biodiversity at the global and regional levels, review the progress and constraints in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, provide a forum to exchange views and information on matters related to biodiversity management and, recommend workable mechanisms for equitable benefit sharing among stakeholders in R&D on biodiversity.  Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology & Environment (MOSTE)  and the Sarawak Development Institute(SDI), the conference saw participation of 194 delegates from Australia, New Zealand,  the United Kingdom, the United States, Belgium, Canada, the Philippines, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.