A major forest fire occurred last Sunday, 14th June 2009. The fire wiped out a substantial amount of forest, approximately 80 hectares (my estimation) mostly around the back of the main Institute of Medicine (IM) new building area all the way to Institute Teknologi Brunei (ITB), our neighbour.
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D-Day...
Clockwise from top left:
The fire started behind the "still under construction" ICTC building
From there, it quickly spread down the hill towards the forest behind the new IM building and rapidly towards ITB
The Fire and Rescue team immediately rushed to the area upon a call by our security officers
The heroic security officers of UBD
[Pics courtesy of UBD Security Officer mobile phone]
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The next day....
The fire burned all the forest between ITB and UBD... This picture is taken
from ITB side - UBD can now be viewed from ITB.
Contruction workers for the new ICTC building repairing their electrical and telephone line. 50 meters of their water line was also destroyed. The workers also assisted the Fire and Rescue team during the blaze.
Blackened and burnt...
The crisp and burnt Brunei national plant, Simpur
The forest behind the hills.. the fire nearly reached the housing area at Rimba
The Faculty of Arts and Social Science is located between the Business Faculty (FBEPS) and the Central Lecture Theatre (CLT). Personally, I think it is one of the nicest faculty building in university ~ it has the widest corridors, it has the widest walkways, it is sun friendly, staff rooms are big and spacious and finally, it is in good condition for a 14 year old building, it exudes a peaceful and serene vibe... Visitors to the university always remark how like a holiday resort the university is... in FASS you can almost believe it.
View from the 1st floor balcony
View from the second floor looking down towards the parking.
The very entertaining Dean of FASS, Dr Gary Jones
At each corner of the building, there is like a cul-de-sac, this is
the view from one of the cul-de-sac..
View from one of the office rooms, towards the parking area
The faculty is squarish with a garden at the centre..
The staircase.. Building is 2 storey high..
View from the garden
The chic Deputy Dean of FASS, Dr Noor Azam.. in his chic office..
Roofing..
Another view of the building from the garden..
The building as you approach it from the Business Faculty..
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Anyway, when we were walking around the building, guess what we found! Dancing and singing! Told you the faculty is artistic!
Undergrads practicing their singing for a trip to neighbouring Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Another group of undergrads practicing their dancing for a
trip to Pontianak, Indonesia under the guidance of their tutor, Ifwah.
KBFSC, a gem and the only field studies centre in Brunei Darussalam is located in the Temburong district, deep within the lush, most preserved rainforest of Borneo. The centre serves the research community focusing on flora and fauna of Brunei Darussalam. The forest is so luscious, you can't see KBFSC via Google Earth.
How to get to KBFSC?
1. Hop on a boat at Kianggeh Jetty, Bandar Seri Begawan to Bangar, the town capital of Temburong. The earliest boat leaves at 0730hrs - the boat service to the district is very regular, since the most convienient way to reach Temburong is by boat only. Cost less than B$10. Journey takes 45 minutes.
[To go via land, you will need a passport since you need to enter Malaysia before you get there]
2. When you reach Bangar, get yourself to Batang Duri Jetty. You either get help from the locals on how to get to Batang Duri or have something pre-arranged (Recommended).
3. Hop on a temuai, a type of boat used by locals to navigate along the rivers of Temburong. You need a special skill to drive the boat, especially when the water is low. The temuai service can be provided by KBFSC. The journey on the temuai takes 45 to 60 minutes depending on reiver condition.
4. Arrive at KBFSC.
Who should visit KBFSC?
Researchers, students, academicians, leaders, carers of the environment, clubs, etc.
The Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday (06.06.09) inked and signed the agreement for the appointment of consultants for 4 buiding projects ~ The Faculty of Science Building Extension, Institute of Medicine Building Extension, Student Affairs Section Building Extension and the Library Building Extension, altogether totalling B$56 million. All the buildings are due for completion in 2011. Although not signing agreements, the Public Works Department, Ministry of Development who is the Architect and Lead Consultant for the Sports Complex Extension also participated in the exhibition.
Other projects in the pipeline, also due for completion in 2011, is the Lecture and Performance Theatre Complex and the Building Extension for Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education. All the new projects are part of the Brunei National Development Plan 2007 - 2011.
I will be posting pictures on our very special, Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC) soon. So stay tuned!
We look after the physical assets of the University to ensure a quality environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors in support of the University’s mission and long term strategic plan.
The Green Project
"People who will not sustain trees will soon live in a world that will not sustain people." Bryce Nelson
Clockwise from top left:
The fire burned all the forest between ITB and UBD... This picture is taken
Contruction workers for the new ICTC building repairing their electrical and telephone line. 50 meters of their water line was also destroyed. The workers also assisted the Fire and Rescue team during the blaze.
The crisp and burnt Brunei national plant, Simpur
The forest behind the hills.. the fire nearly reached the housing area at Rimba
Everything brown and orange... like Autumn.
