Page 9 - Nature World Sample

Prologue

Universiti Malaya, as a national and Malaysia’s oldest university, was officially established
on 1st January 1962. The main campus, with a land area of some 373 hectares, is situated
in the southwest of Kuala Lumpur, Peninsular Malaysia. The early establishment, growth
and development of Universiti Malaya from 1949 to 1985 has been succinctly documented
by Lim Chung Tat (2013).

I joined the university as an undergraduate To present an introduction to the multitude of
student in 1961 and graduated with BSc in Botany biota found in the campus necessarily involves
and Zoology (1964), BSc Hons in Zoology (1965), selective choice from an enormous field of
and PhD in Genetics and Zoology (1968). After interesting information. The choice of the material
completing my undergraduate study, I joined therefore depends on what I think may be of general
the university as a teaching staff until my official interest, the availability of illustrations (colour
retirement and continue to be associated with the pictures), and the limitation of space.
university as Professor Emeritus in Genetics and
Zoology. The teaching then was broad-based and It is hoped that this book may be interesting
placed great emphasis on field study. reading to a variety of people from different walks
of life, both within and outside the university. It is
In the early years (1960s to 1980s), the natural also hoped that it will stimulate and cultivate more
world in the campus was relatively rich with green people to take an interest in seeing, observing and
areas and diversity of biota. However, with rapid and appreciating the natural world.
large scale development in subsequent years, some
green areas and ecological niches together with their The information presented in this book
denizens have disappeared. In the absence of good comes from many sources – from books, journals,
database, we do not know what and how many of colleagues and countless hours, spanning over
the biotas have disappeared from the campus due some six decades, of wandering in the campus
to development and altered environment. Corollary, green spaces. The pictures included in this book
have been taken over many years.
we do not know what and how many life forms are
new records for the campus. Last but not least, I would like to express my
gratitude to YBhg Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd
This book is about the natural world of Hamdi Abd Shukor, Vice-Chancellor Universiti
Universiti Malaya. The aim is to give a simple Malaya, for the Foreword and my indebtedness to
illustrated account of the diversity of biota found all those from whom I have learned and benefitted
in the campus, focussing on visible life forms with much regarding the natural world.
interesting or unusual features. It is not meant to be
read from cover to cover or used as a reference, but Yong Hoi-Sen
for a light read or to be browsed through at leisure. October 2022

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