Our History
The Institute of Borneo Studies (IBS) was formerly known as the Institute of East Asian Studies (IEAS), and was established on 1st March 1997. As the Institute of East Asian Studies, it was set up to take advantage of the university’s strategic location to encourage a deeper understanding of current and projected change in the regional and global socio-economic environment. The institute was the first of its kind in the region in an ASEAN country. Its role was to coordinate and promote a range of interdisciplinary programmes and activities to advance a better understanding of the evolving political economy of the East Asian region in a global context, taking into account the social, cultural, religious and historical character of the nations, states and civilisations in the region.
The founding director was Professor Dr Michael Leigh. After more than 25 years of operation, the instute is now led by Professor Dr Poline Bala who is currently serving as the 6th Director for the institute.
In 2015, the institute was renamed to the Institute of Borneo Studies. The renaming gave a renewed and re-energised perspective to the research institute. It evolved to become a research institute that orientates its approach to connects people, sites, values, and the environment across areas (especially the Borneo region).
The Institute advocates a transnational and multi-disciplinary research perspective and collaboration that recognises society's challenges and requires regional efforts to address them. Scientific collaboration between scholars who work from Borneo or regard Borneo as their 'calling' provides the much-needed research and innovation backbone for supporting people's aspirations for a decent life, a quality education, mutual tolerance, and sustainable living.
Directors of the Institute
Professor Michael Leigh
(1st March 1997 - 6th March 2003)
(1st March 1997 - 6th March 2003)
Professor Datuk Dr. Abdul Rashid Abdullah
(7th March 2003 - 28th February 2005)
(1st March 2008 - 31st August 2012)
(7th March 2003 - 28th February 2005)
(1st March 2008 - 31st August 2012)
Assoc. Professor Dr. James Chin Ung Ho
(1st March 2005 - 28th February 2008)
(1st March 2005 - 28th February 2008)
Assoc. Professor Datu Dr. Hj Sanib b. Hj Said
(1st September 2012 - 31st December 2013)
(1st September 2012 - 31st December 2013)
Professor Dr. Shahren Ahmad Zaidi Adruce
(1st Januari 2015 - 31st December 2019)
(1st Januari 2015 - 31st December 2019)
Professor Dr. Poline Bala
(1st Januari 2020- Present)
(1st Januari 2020- Present)
