Introduction

old Raffles Museum The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) has its origins in the Raffles Museum which was founded in 1849. That museum comprised of several components, and the natural history collection is now part of the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore.

The department has its origins in the former Departments of Botany and Zoology which were merged in 1996. This paved the way for the consolidation for resources and personnel involved in biodiversity research into an integrated unit - the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR).

Established on 1 October 1998, the RMBR is built on the academic strengths of various faculty and postgraduate researchers of the department involved in the research on various aspects of biodiversity, and the facilities and personnel of the animal and plant collections.

Collections

The animal collection is well known to international scientists as the Zoological Reference Collection (ZRC), and the successor of the famous 'Raffles Collection'). It contains the historical collection of the former Raffles Museum, established since 1849 as a result of an idea mooted by Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of modern Singapore who was an eminent naturalist. Today, it is the proud host to the single largest collection of Southeast Asian fauna in the region containing at least 400,000 catalogued specimens.

image_flower The Herbarium (SINU) was founded in 1955 as a teaching museum by Professor Gilliland of what was then the Department of Botany. It now serves as a documentation of the rich plant resources in Southeast Asia with 18,730 specimens in its holdings.

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Biodiversity Research

Staff members and students of the RMBR are engaged in research in conservation biology, ecology and systematics that covers the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Numerous surveys, expeditions and collaborative work have been and are being conducted in the Asia-Pacific region.

The main aims of this research include the documentation of the various biodiversity components, the elucidation of speciation and evolutionary events for selected groups of organisms, determining the attributes for species extinction and invasiveness, answering key ecological questions pertaining to the tropical rain forest, raising the level of pure and applied research in biodiversity-, conservation biology- and ecology-related aspects among local, regional and international scientists, establishment of regional databases for biodiversity matters and formulation and marketing of environmental guidelines and skills for applying the above knowledge.

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Raffles Musem Fellowships

RMBR has a short-term visiting fellow program which offers research stints of 2-6 weeks in Singapore. This program endeavours to bring in experts in relevant fields to work with RMBR staff and students to further the cause of Southeast Asian biodiversity research. Fellowships are given on a competitive basis, dependent on funds and research areas identified. A long-term fellowship program is also available (6-12 months).

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Database

Databases

The specimen catalogues of various floral and faunal groups in the museum have been maintained as handwritten entries in catalogue books. This catalogue will now be entered into computerised database system beginning with the mosses, reptiles and fishes by March 2001.

Subsequently, aspects of this database will be available on the web in order for scientists to conduct preliminary checks on holdings prior to planning visits to the collection itself.

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Publication

The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology was revived as a continuation of predecessing publications of the original Raffles Museum, originating in 1928. It is now a leading scientific journal that deals primarily with animal diversity in Southeast Asia, and one of the few publications in the region listed in the Science Citation Index and Current Contents.

This journal is peer-reviewed and published twice a year, with supplements (monographs) issued at irregular intervals (average twice a year). The editorial board boasts an international group of scientists with many distinguished experts in their respective fields of research.

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Graduate Studies

There is a healthy graduate studies programme under the RMBR, with some 20 graduate students currently pursuing MSc and PhD programmes by research. Students past and present include those from Singapore, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the UK. Most of their research is regional in perspective. Many of them have also published in top journals in their fields, and a number are working with leading scientists in their respective areas of interest.

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Public Education

The original museum had an active role in public education, and this will be revived in the years to come. An exhibition gallery is currently in preparation for its opening in April 2001. Established in the area adjacent to the current ZRC premises, it will feature various aspects of the fauna and flora of the Southeast Asian region by the use of both preserved specimens and miniature living displays. Unlike the three collection centres, this facility is specially designed for exhibition purposes and will thus be open to the public.

Previously, staff of the RMBR has been working closely with other organisations on the publication of nature guide books and reference texts. In 2001, they will begin offering education programmes to schools as well.

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Consultation

The research strength of the RMBR has achieved a high regional and international reputation with regards to environmental consultation matters. A number of local and international organisations have sought professional assistance with the museum with regards to environmental impact assessments and management options.

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Visitor Information

Both the public and researchers are welcome to the museum, and details on arranging a visit, and reaching the museum are available here.

International scientists visit the RMBR for research and teaching and between January 1997 to September 2000, the museum was host to visitors for an averageof 321 days per year!

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