Borneo offers students a taste of research, culture and connection

20 students from the University of Newcastle embarked on a journey to Borneo, Indonesia in July to visit a proboscis monkey rescue centre in Banjarmasin, and experience first-hand the impact of global conservation efforts.

Banjarmasin is a city in South Kalimantan, Borneo, located at the junction of the Barito and Martapura rivers. It took two planes and three bus rides to get there and on arrival, the students were enveloped by the heat. Hot and sweaty was the theme but the snippets of life in Indonesia they experienced as they made their journey to the rescue centre were unforgettable.

Nestled among the mangroves the rescue centre helps to rehabilitate endangered proboscis monkeys that have been rescued from forest fires, illegal trade, and traumatic injuries.

Environmental Science and Management Student Alicia Watt is in her third year of studies and said the trip was an incredible experience and she hopes to return to the rescue centre on an internship basis.

“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the centre, which isn’t open to tourists. Only researchers and conservation workers are allowed in, so we were able to see, first-hand, the important rehabilitation work the centre does for the proboscis monkeys and their habitat. Seeing conservation in a different country really opens your mind to what is possible from a sustainability standpoint,” Alicia said.

During the trip the students were buddied up with 20 local teaching students from Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM), an opportunity that provided a unique insight into Kalimantan culture, religion and life in Banjarmasin.

“There were lots of long bus rides, so it was good to have someone who you could have a yarn to. Farah, my buddy, was awesome. It was fascinating to hear about her culture, religion and what life looks like in Indonesia. We still chat via WhatsApp and Instagram and share stories of what we are up to at university,” Alicia said.

For Dean, a mature age student in his third year of environmental science, taking part in the adventure gave him the opportunity to combine his love of travel with research for his studies. His love of photography meant he was able to document the trip through his camera, capturing the special moments and providing a glimpse into life in Banjarmasin.

“It’s said that Banjarmasin is the city of a thousand rivers. We spent more time on boats than any other type of transport while in the city,” Dean said.

“We were able to see a family of proboscis monkeys perched a few metres above water level enjoying a meal and go on a short tour around one of the secluded islands to get a closer look.”

As an environmental science student Dean’s research focus is on water quality, so seeing life from the river gave him a real insight into how much work is done to rehabilitate a habitat, especially when clean water isn’t easily available.

“There are different ways to view threats to the monkey’s habitat. My research focus is on water quality, whereas other students were looking at the habitat from a biology or conservation perspective,” Dean said.

“We took a boat to a remote village, which had no sewage or easy access to drinking water. Seeing the flow on effect of this particular village to the proboscis monkey habitat was a real insight for my studies, some parts were confronting, but it just showed how important the research we are doing is.”

As well as seeing the endangered proboscis monkeys up close, there was time for exploring the local town.

Visiting the Lok Baintan Floating Markets while the sun rose was an experience for the senses.

“We were up before the sun and boarded boats to head to the markets. All tiredness was erased as we took in the beauty of our surroundings and the stunning sunrise,” Dean said.

“It was full of fresh produce, sweets and vendors selling handmade trinkets. Devouring rambutan (a hairy lychee looking fruit), and a sweet brown sugar pastry, was a blissful way to start the morning.”

As well as the conservations efforts and water research, Dean was thrilled to see the connections he made on the trip.

“It really was a once in a lifetime experience. After two years of not much group activity due to the pandemic, this trip was a major bonding event. It turned out to be about far more than rehabilitation and conservation. It was also about connecting with people – Australian and Indonesian,” Dean said.

Both students would highly recommend the trip for any student looking for a new experience.

“Step out of your own backyard and experience something completely different. It’s important to get out in the field and hands on experience. You can read all about the world through other people’s eyes, but until you get that first-hand practical experience you will be limited by other interpretations and won’t know what a difference you could make.” Alicia said.

“Step out of your own backyard and experience something completely different. It’s important to get out in the field and hands on experience. You can read all about the world through other people’s eyes, but until you get that first-hand practical experience you will be limited by other interpretations and won’t know what a difference you could make.” Alicia said.

Professor Roberts also sees the trip as having a long-term benefit to Australian and Indonesian conservation efforts.

“Australia needs a strong relationship with Indonesia. Thanks to the New Colombo Plan scholarships more students are able to join the trip,” Professor Roberts said.

“Some of these students will go on to become parliamentarians and will always remember this partnership. The best part is seeing the awakening: where students see the importance of conservation efforts and learn that sustainability is a real goal that we can work towards.”

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.