On Thursday 12th December 2024, the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC) officially launched its highly anticipated Educational Tourist Packages, offering local and international visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore Brunei’s first and only botanic garden.
The launch was held at the UBD BRC and officiated by Hajah Tutiaty Haji Abdul Wahab, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), as the Guest of Honour. Also present at the ceremony were Associate Professor Pg Dr Mohammad Iskandar Pg Haji Petra, Acting Vice-Chancellor of UBD; Acting Director of Tourism and Development Department (TDD); Senior Management of UBD; representatives from the Tourism and Development Department; and partners from Brunei’s travel and hospitality industry.
Celebrating its sixth anniversary earlier this year, UBD BRC is now extending its reach to all visitors through the UBD BRC Educational Tourist Packages, offering a unique educational experience that showcases the rich biodiversity of Brunei’s flora and the rare Kerangas forest. Developed in close collaboration with the Tourism Development Department of MPRT, UBD BRC’s Educational Tourist Packages offer immersive educational tours and activities, highlighting UBD BRC’s living plant and stingless bee collections, and the centre’s flagship conservation and research projects.
In his welcoming remarks at the launch, Dr Hussein Haji Taha, Director of UBD’s Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) highlighted that UBD BRC embodies UBD’s commitment towards protecting and sharing Brunei’s natural heritage, and shared that the newly launched immersive educational tourist packages have been carefully crafted to provide an enhanced visitor experience going beyond the traditional guided tour.
“Today’s launch symbolises our dedication to positioning the UBD Botanical Research Centre as an exciting destination for both local and international visitors,” he said. “It is our hope that this collaboration with the Tourism Development Department and close support from our partners in the travel and hospitality industry will enhance Brunei’s appeal as a destination known not only for its cultural heritage but also for its bountiful natural treasures and its commitment to biodiversity and environmental sustainability.”
Following the launch, a special guided tour and live demonstrations of the educational activities included in the packages were held for invited guests.
Visitors to the UBD BRC can opt for the Basic Package, which includes “Journey Through Nature: UBD Botanical Garden Tour”, an immersive guided tour led by local botanists and UBD graduates who are experts in Brunei’s native flora. The Full Package includes the guided tour and offers an enhanced educational experience, featuring hands-on activities which include “Green Thumb Experience – Repotting and Transplanting Plants”, “Grow Your Own – The Magic of Plant Propagation”, “Biodiversity Treasure Hunt”, and “Nature’s Art – Leaf Stamping”. Nature enthusiasts will not only be treated to the green wonders in the UBD Botanical Research Centre but can also learn more about sustainable gardening and contribute to the Centre’s conservation efforts.
UBD BRC’s Educational Tourist Packages are now available for booking, with an exciting line up of activities offered through the 8th Brunei December Festival. Further information, including pricing, available dates, and package details, is accessible on the UBD BRC website at https://brc.iber.ubd.edu.bn
Boilerplate:
Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s Botanical Research Centre (UBD BRC), the first botanic garden in Brunei Darussalam, was inaugurated in 2018 by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Chancellor, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. With its prime location within UBD campus, the UBD BRC is a research centre managed by the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER). It offers visitors a glimpse into the unique Bornean heath (Kerangas) forest ecosystem and is a living repository of unique flora that are found in Brunei’s forests. The UBD BRC is committed to the conservation of Brunei’s endangered plants, rare and endemic species, and plants of economic, medicinal, and ethnobotanical importance.