Sarawak Biodiversity Centre

03/10/2026

SBC is pleased to participate in Kimia ke Desa X STEM Playground 2026, organised by the Department of Chemistry Malaysia and TEGAS, at Kampung Semeba Community Hall. The programme was officiated by ChM Pn. Marhayani bt Md Saad, Director-General of the Department of Chemistry Malaysia, and brings together schools and students from the surrounding communities to promote interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through engaging educational activities.

SBC is here from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., sharing knowledge on Sarawak’s rich biodiversity and the importance of conservation. Visitors can also explore our booth, learn more about biodiversity, and enjoy fun chemistry-themed games and activities!

01/10/2026

Meet two of our interns who gained hands-on experience across different areas of work at SBC, Allison Tan Yew Hui and Chin Xi Xiang.

Allison joined the Human Resource Section under the Graduate Enhancement Training Sarawak (GETS) Programme, where she gained practical exposure to the day-to-day functions that support an organisation and its people. From preparing reports and interview documents to reviewing forms, handling enquiries and developing Excel spreadsheets for data management, her experience strengthened her organisational, communication and analytical skills while giving her a closer look at the many responsibilities behind effective human resource management.

Meanwhile, Xi Xiang spent his internship with the Ganoderma team, where his days offered a very different kind of hands-on experience. From mixing substrates and packing culture bags to maintaining clean cultivation rooms, he learned that successful mushroom cultivation depends on patience, teamwork and attention to every step of the process. His time with the team also gave him a greater appreciation of the care and coordination required to support healthy mushroom growth.

Although their experiences took place in very different working environments, both Allison and Xi Xiang had the opportunity to develop practical skills, learn from their colleagues and gain a better understanding of working life at SBC.

01/10/2026

It has been a while since we spotted wildlife around our premises!

On 1st October 2026, our colleagues saw what appeared to be a pair of the Giant Squirrel or 𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘢 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴. These magnificent specimens were captured on camera just in front of our Integrated Biodiversity Research Building (IBRB).

This is one of the largest squirrels around, with both males and females averaging a head and body length of about 34 cm and an even longer lush, heavy tail. It calls the lower dipterocarp and secondary forests home, and feeds mainly on seeds, fruits, and nuts, other than bark, insects and eggs.

What is interesting about the Giant Squirrel is that it does not sit upright with its tail arched upwards when feeding, like most squirrels. Instead, it positions itself across a branch using its hind feet to grip and its hands to hold food, while the tail hangs down to counter its body weight. Another interesting fact about this squirrel is that during breeding season, it constructs nests among tree branches, where the young are born and raised.

In Sarawak, the Giant Squirrel is known as Tupai Kerawak. It is totally protected under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1998.

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

On 23rd September 2026, we received a delegation from the Indigenous Alliance under Teach For All, an international network of educators and leaders from indigenous communities across Peru, Mexico, USA, Colombia, Malaysia and New Zealand. The delegation's visit was supported by the Global Institute for Shaping a Better Future, an initiative of Teach For All dedicated to advancing transformative education globally.

Hosted by Teach For Malaysia (TFM) and CEO Chan Soon Seng alongside the TFM Sarawak team, with Senior Associate of Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships Melvin Jangga playing an integral role in coordinating the delegation's logistics, the group engaged in a rich two-hour session exploring Sarawak’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework implementation, the documentation of indigenous wisdom regarding biodiversity, and community outreach. The session centered on ethical research practices, Prior Informed Consent (PIC), and the formal benefit-sharing framework implemented by SBC in Sarawak.

Teach For All is a global network of independent partner organisations dedicated to expanding educational opportunity worldwide. Within this network, the Indigenous Alliance serves as a vital platform to preserve indigenous knowledge, foster cross-cultural learning, and drive community-led leadership in education.

The Global Institute for Shaping a Better Future, an initiative of Teach For All, catalyses cross-cultural learning, action research, and global collaboration to help redesign classrooms and systems so young people, especially those in marginalised communities, can holistically lead and shape a better future. By equipping global initiatives like the Indigenous Alliance with tools, and research capacity, the Global Institute helps turn community-rooted wisdom into scalable insights

22/09/2026

On 22 September, we welcomed a group of students and lecturers from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Singapore, to SBC.

ITE is a post-secondary education institution in Singapore that provides technical and vocational education and training.

The visit brought together students from ITE’s Chemical Process course, giving them an opportunity to explore how their technical knowledge can be connected to real-world applications in research and product development.

21/09/2026

On 21 September 2026, we welcomed a group of 30 senior citizens from the Methodist Senior Learning Centre.

The Methodist Senior Learning Centre provides opportunities for senior citizens to continue learning, stay active, build social connections, and take part in educational and community activities. Their programmes include learning sessions, hobbies, outings and visits to places of interest.

The group's visit was focused on their interest in plants and how Sarawak's indigenous biodiversity is developed sustainably through SBC's R&D.

17/09/2026

On 17th September 2026, SBC welcomed Mr Charlie Soh Poh Peng, Director, Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS), and Mr Chew Chang Guan, Chief Executive Officer, STATOS.

STATOS is a Sarawak Government initiative based in Singapore, established to strengthen trade, investment and tourism linkages between Sarawak, Singapore and the international community. Through its role in market access, business networking and trade facilitation, STATOS serves as an important platform for Sarawak businesses seeking to expand their presence beyond the region.

This strategic connection with STATOS strengthens SBC’s positioning for high-impact R&D collaborations, and the Sarawak Bioindustrial Park for targeted investors.

15/09/2026

Happy Malaysia Day 2026!

Today, we celebrate the unity, diversity, and shared strength of our nation. Wishing everyone a wonderful Malaysia Day filled with pride and harmony.

12/09/2026

SBC is hiring.

We would like to invite highly motivated and qualified candidates to fill the following posts:

1. Administrative Officer, N12 - 1 post
2. Administrative Officers, N9 - 2 posts
3. Research Officers, Q9 - 2 posts

Kindly click the following link for more details on the application procedure.
https://www.sbc.org.my/career

Closing date: 25th September 2026