A TEAM from Falmouth's art college will be conducting a research trip deep in the jungle of Borneo.

The team members hope to be the first scientists and camera crew to document the uncharted region of Julai and Kapuas.

FX-Pedition 2010 is a joint venture between University College Falmouth and the University of Exeter, which has a base at Tremough, Penryn.

The team, which will include students, will travel to the heart of Borneo's rainforest to look at the species living in the unexplored mountains. There a survey will be carried out on two hybridising species of gibbon, a first for science.

It is also hoped that the team will be able to find a renewable energy source for a local village at Project Barito Ulu, using only resources on-site.

The expedition is set to begin in July next year and last for 10 to 12 weeks – it is hoped it will become an annual event.

The idea is for a long term partnership between the UK and Borneal universities and Project Barito Ulu, so that students can play an important role in the conservation of the ecosystem and get work experience.

Martin Holland, the project's founder and leader, will be filming, photographing, documenting and managing an online site.

He said: "This is a hugely exciting project, bringing Falmouth and Exeter students together from dozens of different fields.

"It has never been more important for students to be better equipped and prepared for prospective employers before they leave university.

"FX-Peditions will give students from all courses professional work experience that is highly relevant to their field of study."

Sponsorship

The team needs to raise £80,000 to make it possible and each member will fund £1,000 themselves.

The rest will be raised through sponsorship, fund-raising and donations.

As part of this, Truro-based Skinner's Brewery has created Borneo Brew, which will be available in selected pubs in Falmouth.

During the trip the team will create multi-media applications for a website which is intended as a learning tool for children, students and politicians.

Residents of Borneo will be trained to upload items to the site.

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and was once covered in rainforest.

However, more than half of its natural resources have been lost to forestry, palm oil extraction and mining.

For more information about the project, or to make a donation, please visit www.fxpedition2010.com or send an e-mail to martin@fxpedition2010.com