KOTA KINABALU: Sixteen delegates from University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on March 27-30 made a field visit to the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve FMU 19B to kick start a research project under the memorandum of agreement  signed on 16th August 2018.

This marked yet another milestone for the forest industry in Sabah in the area of innovative collaboration between the two main players of the industry – University Malaysia Sabah and KTS Plantation Sdn Bhd respectively.

The project is implemented based on the research matching grant scheme and one of the many initiatives carried out under the Tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding between the Sabah Forestry Department, University Malaysia Sabah and KTS Plantation Sdn Bhd signed in November 2016.

This research project is to be implemented for  three years and focuses on three selected research projects that have been prioritized based on urgent industry needs that cover Wildlife Management, Forest Rehabilitation Practices and Nature Tourism Potential of the Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve.

This is a demonstration of a smart partnership approach adopted by the Learning and Research Institution and  KTS Plantation for mutual benefits in line with the newly launched Sabah Forest Policy 2018 Thrust 3: Research, Development, Commercialization and Innovation (RDC&I) in support of forest management.

From the outset, it offers great opportunity for learning and research to the UMS as a learning and research institute as it involves six lecturers and 11 students – eight Bachelor Degree level and three Master Degree level.

Similarly the industry will greatly benefit from  ‘knowledge transfer’ which involves six officers from KTS Plantation that will involve directly in the project.

Source: Borneo Post