10th July 2016-We are pleased to inform that beginning next week, the Faculty of Earth Science , Universiti Malaysia Kelantan UMK, will provide the expertise and assist REACH in conducting research at our biodiversity centre in Gunung Brinchang.
For the last few years, our centre has been used mainly for environmental conservation awareness activities such as reforestation and educational mossy forest tours. We have also done documentation of highland birds and orchids. But this would be the first time that we are collaborating with a University to do research of the Highland Forest in a methodical way.
Our scientific advisor, Professor Maketab Mohamed, introduced the team from UMK and on the 14th of February 2016 they made their first trip up here. Besides reconnaissance and together with volunteers from UTM ,MNS Pahang and Hammock, they also set up some cloud harvesting panels as a “trial run.”
This group of volunteers also enthusiastically cleaned up the pond at the biodiversity centre and found many macroinvertebrates there.
The team from UMK made another trip on the 28th of May 2016. It was headed by Dr Jayaraj Vijaya Kumaran (an expert on small mammals), and on this occasion, the discussion as to how the research would proceed was more in depth.
The areas of study would include research on insects, vertebrates ( small mammals and birds), vegetation including trees ,fungi and lichen in the Highlands.
There would also be a study on Cloud Harvesting ( Fog Catcher ) system as an alternative source of water for agricultural and household needs in the Highlands.
The collaboration with UMK will span a few years. Output would consists of publication of scientific data, publication in journals and pictorial books, human capital development and development of an effective fog harvesting system.
Researchers with different areas of expertise who came for the discussion included
1.Cik Nivaarani Arumugam who specialises in insects. Her students will be the first group to do a research here and the insects to be studied include moth, butterflies and beetles
2.Dr Suganthi Appalasamy who specialises in lichens
3.Dr Nazahatul Anis Amaludin -who specialises in plants
4. Dr Boon Jia Geng who specialises in fungi
The other researchers were Dr Mohamad Faiz Mohd Amin, Dr Noor Janatun Naim Jemali, Dr Radhiah Zakaria, CikNur Kyariatul Syafinie, Dr Norrimi Rosaida Awang, Cik Aainaa Syazwani. More experts would come from time to time and they include Encik Zulhazman Hamzah, Professor Madya Dr Hashim Md Noor, Dr Irshad Ul Haq Bhat, Encik Kamarul Ariffin Kambali,Encil Nik Mohd Maseri Nik Mohamad.
We would like to thank Professor Maketab for introducing the team from UMK to REACH and we would like to thank Universiti Malaysia Kelantan for lending us their expertise . We look forward to proving that when community groups and universities work together, the results can benefit everyone especially the local residents.
The Universiti Malaysia Kelantan was formed in 2007, following the Government’s approval for a public university in Kelantan under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.The Chancellor is the Sultan of Kelantan, HM Sultan Muhammad V. and the Pro-Chancellor HRH Dr Tengku Muhammed Faiz Petra Ibni Sultan Ismail Petra. The Vice Chancellor is YBhg Prof. Dato’ Dr Mortaza bin Mohamed.
The faculties are
- Faculty of Earth Science
- Faculty of Agro Based Industry
- Faculty of Entrepreneurship & Business
- Faculty of Heritage & Creative Technology
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Centre for Language Studies and Human Development
Currently its enrolment consists of 6000 undergraduate and 500 postgraduate students. Its campuses are in Bachok, Jeli and Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan.