Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) strives to facilitate multi-disciplinary research and social innovation. Accordingly, Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (BIO-D-TROPIKA) or formerly known as Kenyir Research Institute (IPK) was established at the end of 2013, led by Founding Director, Emeritus Professor Dr. Faizah Mohd Sharoum. The excellence was continued under the leadership of Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Tajuddin bin Abdullah starting from 1 October 2016 until May 2020. At present, the Institute is headed by Professor Dr. Marzuki bin Ismail and assisted by Assoc. Professor Dr. Khatijah binti Omar as Deputy Director.

Kenyir Lake and Setiu Wetlands and its surrounding environment provide a wealth of research opportunities in fields such as biological diversity, aquatic resources, tourism and socio-economic development and cultural heritage. These topics form the backbone of BIO-D TROPIKA research and support its ambition to become one of the country’s premier research institutes.