The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre’s
(SBC) R&D Laboratories were officially opened by the Chief Minister of
Sarawak, YAB Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud on 29 August 2006. The event was officiated with the signing of
a commemorative by the Chief Minister in the SBC’s Herbal Garden.
Notably, plans were made as early as 2004 for the SBC to expand
and upgrade its R&D facilities and programmes. However, it was not until
February 2005 before the plans were commenced, starting with the construction
of five new laboratories. These laboratories were as follows:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Bioinformatics
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Tissue Culture
Upon the completion of these laboratories in December 2005,
they were handed over to the SBC. They are fully equipped with modern
laboratory equipment and instruments, creating an environment attuned towards
conducting research activities and biotechnological innovations in Sarawak.
The SBC has carried out up to
11,025 bioassays in order to screen for anti-cancer properties from plants
found within Sarawak as of 30 September 2006. It has also recorded a number of
26,077 extracts from 1,662 samples of plants that were collected from National
Parks throughout the state as well as various indigenous and rural communities.
Suffice to say, the SBC’s R&D
programme exists as a library of products that are naturally derived mainly
from Sarawak’s indigenous plants. It is an important source of chemical diversity,
as reflected in its bioactive compound screening activities and development of
the early stages of bioactive compound analysis. With these new R&D
facilities, the SBC is playing its part in training the future generations of
biotech researchers and scientists.
The implementation of the SBC’s
training programme allows fresh university graduates to undergo training under
their R&D programme for up to one year. In order to qualify for a trainee
position, a prospective applicant is expected to have exceptional academic
records, with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 points.
Upon a successful application, the graduates are given a monthly allowance and
are evaluated every 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th
month of their training to record their progress, job performance and attitude
towards their work. At the end of training programme, trainees whom have
excelled are subsequently offered permanent jobs as research officers under the
SBC’s Human Resources allocation of vacancies.
Through such efforts, the SBC
stands by its belief that skilfully trained employees whom are effective and
proactive are futile in continuing Sarawak’s biodiversity R&D efforts.
Acknowledgement
and thanks to Miss Asha Kaushal, Desk Officer for the Sarawak Biodiversity
Centre
