The Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) hosted a nature camp at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) from December 2-6.
An environmental education initiative aimed at cultivating a new generation of Bruneian sustainability champions, the camp is a new immersive environmental educational programme, sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP).
The camp which brought together 13 secondary school students who demonstrated exceptional academic promise, was supported by the Department of Schools at the Ministry of Education (MoE)
It aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of Brunei’s tropical rainforests and biodiversity and promote awareness of global environmental issues such as climate change and sustainability.
Before the students’ departure to KBFSC, IBER held a flag-off event on December 2 for the participants, attended by BSP’s Acting Communication and External Affairs Manager Muhammad Haziq Abdullah Lim.
At KBFSC, the participants underwent a comprehensive educational experience, combining guided forest walks with workshops on biodiversity conservation, climate awareness and sustainable practices, conducted by experienced facilitators and experts from IBER and BSP.
Through hands-on activities, participants gained an understanding of rainforest ecosystems and conservation strategies, fostering a sense of responsibility toward Brunei’s natural heritage.
The camp reflected UBD’s Sustainability Pillar 2 by inspiring students to become sustainability champions through experiential learning, and Pillar 5 through community engagement, encouraging sustainable lifestyle practices.
The camp builds on successful IBER education and outreach initiatives such as the Tropical Research Experience (TREx), Nature Classroom, Biodiversity Watch, and the Environmental Education Programme at KBFSC.
