UBD Sustainability
UBD Campus Greening Initiative
To transform UBD into a “University within a Forest”, where biodiversity conservation, environmental education and climate resilience go hand in hand.
The UBD Campus Greening Initiative (2025 to 2030) is a flagship project under the UBD Sustainability Masterplan, advancing the university’s commitment to climate action, biodiversity conservation, and a green campus. Anchored within a rare Kerangas forest ecosystem, the project seeks to restore native vegetation, enhance green spaces, and strengthen the campus as a living laboratory for education, research, and community engagement.
Key developments under the project include designated Greening Zones featuring native trees of conservation and ecological importance and selected ornamental trees, the establishment of showcase areas and habitats featuring native biodiversity, creation of recreational green areas for the UBD and wider community, expansion of the UBD Botanical Research Centre, and targeted revegetation of degraded sites across the campus.
Plant selection follows a science-based approach, priotising High Conservation Value native species, as well as medicinal, economic, cultural, and ethnobotanical plants that are ecologically suited to the campus environment. Increasing the use of native species supports biodiversity while strengthening teaching, research, and innovation activities under the UBD Sustainability Living Lab framework.
Local Name: Keruing Sindor
Scientific Name: Dipterocarpus borneensis
Conservation Status: Near Threatened (NT)
Ecological Significance: A large canopy tree of Bornean lowland forests, this species helps shape forest structure and stores substantial carbon. Like many dipterocarps, it participates in irregular mass fruiting events that support wildlife and natural forest regeneration.
Local Name: Merawan Ribu
Scientific Name: Hopea vacciniifolia
Conservation Status: Endangered (EN)
Ecological Significance: Associated with kerangas heath forests, this species is adapted to nutrient poor sandy soils. It contributes to forest stability and supports specialised biodiversity unique to heath forest ecosystems.
Local Name: Resak Durian
Scientific Name: Cotylelobium burckii
Conservation Status: Endangered (EN)
Ecological Significance: A canopy component of mixed and heath forests, this species strengthens forest structure and contributes to long term biomass accumulation. Its fruiting cycles provide important food resources for forest fauna.
Local Name: Mang
Scientific Name: Hopea pentanervia
Conservation status: Vulnerable (VU)
Ecological Significance: A canopy species of peat and heath forests that enhances ecosystem stability and habitat structure. It plays a role in maintaining the vertical complexity of specialised lowland forest systems
For more information on the UBD Campus Greening Initiative, read our UBD Campus Greening Booklet (coming soon)
Rooting for the Future
The campus greening initiative, Rooting for the Future, was launched on 5 August 2025 with a ceremonial tree planting led by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Pro-Chancellor of UBD alongside members of the UBD council. A total of twelve trees were planted, featuring mainly native tree species from the Kerangas forest to support local biodiversity. The event brought together representatives from government ministries, industry partners, and UBD alumni, reflecting a shared commitment to collective action for a greener and more sustainable campus.
Rooting for the Future is supported through contributions from the UBD community, alumni, and corporate partners. These donations enable tree planting activities across the UBD campus. Each tree is then included in scientific studies and monitoring to ensure itsgrowth, survival, and contribution to long-term sustainability.
Rooting for the Future Packages
Rooting for the Future: A Collective Tree Planting Journey
Rooting for the Future Launching
Rooting for the Future was launched by His Royal Highness Prince (Dr) Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah during UBD Pesta Konvo 2025, aiming to plant 1,985 trees by 2027 to enhance campus biodiversity.
Tree Planting with Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP)
In collaboration with Brunei Shell, UBD BRC and IBER organised a tree planting on 27 November 2025, where 50 participants planted 50 high-conservation native saplings to support conservation.
Tree Planting with Brunei Institute of Leadership & Islamic Finance
Brunei Institute of Leadership and Islamic Finance (BILIF) staff, supported by IBER and UBD BRC, planted 15 high conservation native saplings including Agathis borneensis and Gymnostoma nobile for World Tree Day, celebrating BILIF’s 15th anniversary and promoting sustainability.
Badas Tree Planting
In collaboration with Brunei Shell Petroleum and the Brunei Forestry Department, Badas Tree Planting Phase 2 launched on 30 September 2025, planting 200 Dryobalanops rappa saplings to support peatland restoration and biodiversity conservation. on.
Interested to donate? Please contact rooting.ubd@ubd.edu.bn for more information.
