SIMBA 2025
May 23rd – 25th at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Registration is now closed! Check out a summary of the program below, and keep an eye out for WhatsApp messages about hotel room assignments, travel reimbursements, presentation order and information, and other details.
Symposium Program
| Friday, May 23 (Day 1) | Details |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Registration / Light Breakfast |
| 9:00 -10:00 AM | Welcome & Keynote from Dr. Dena J. Clink |
| 10:00 – 10:15 AM | Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:00 noon | Oral Presentations – Group 1 (6 presentations) |
| 12:00 – 2:30 PM | Lunch |
| 2:30 – 4:30 PM | Training BirdNET output visualization Hands on training exploring new features in the BirdNET analyzer to asess and visualize the outputs of machine learning models (+ list what people need, e.g. computers, downloaded software) |
| 4:30 – 5:30 PM | BEAT Actionable Ideas Workshop – Part 1 A set of activities that combine networking and idea generation for Sunday’s Workshop, where we’ll also decide on working group participation based around the themes: Writing Papers and Grants, Training and Teaching, Outreach and Engagement, Network and Collaboration, and Conservation Policy and Action |
| Saturday, May 24 (Day 2) | Details |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Registration / Light Breakfast |
| 9:00 -10:00 AM | Panel Emerging monitoring technologies: benefits and risks to conservation and communities Moderator: Riri Wiyanti Retnaningtyas Discussants: Rustam, Muhammad Ali Imron, Indah Sartika Sari, Charina Sivayogam |
| 10:00 – 10:30 AM | Coffee Break |
| 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Oral Presentations – Group 2 (7 presentations) |
| 12:30 – 2:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 – 2:45 PM | Keynote – Building Bioacoustics Networks in Indonesia and Asia: From Science to Conservation – Asman Adi Purwanto |
| 2:45 – 3:15 PM | Presentation – Wildlife Acoustics |
| 3:15 – 5:30 PM | BEAT Actionable Ideas Workshop – Part 2 Working groups organized around topics generated on Friday afternoon, identifying priority activities to support BEAT community and creating a clear plan of action |
| 6:30 – 8:30 PM | Dinner |
| Sunday, May 25 (Day 3) | Details |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | Light Breakfast |
| 9:00 -10:00 AM | Presentation & Discussion – BirdCLEF 2026 Competition Discussing a collaborative effort to focus the attention of the global community of computer scientists to develop models for different taxa in the region Speakers include Ben Gottesman, Tom Denton, Junaydy Michael Angelo Ginting, and Benjamin Buckley |
| 10:00 – 10:45 AM | Coffee Break / Species Imitation Competition |
| 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Oral Presentations – Group 3 (6 presentations) |
| 12:30 – 2:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:15 – 4:00 PM | Closing Ceremony – UMT Comments |
| 4:00 – 5:30 PM | Pictures, Surveys, and other final activities TBD |
Other details
- Download the Travel Guidebook for Terengganu
- Download the software for the BirdNET Training (Link TBD)
BEAT
The BEAT program is designed to support researchers with training, mentoring, and equipment to establish conservation-oriented acoustic monitoring projects in Indonesia or Malaysia. The program is open to individuals or teams of researchers or conservationists who were interested in obtaining the training and tools necessary to launch independent acoustic monitoring programs.
Connecting these researchers to equipment and training has allowed us to achieve several key outcomes. First, it provides researchers with training and experience so that they are poised to implement and scale up monitoring programs as equipment becomes increasingly widespread and affordable. Second, by supplying recording units, it enables teams to collect valuable baseline data that can be used to demonstrate the conservation value of their work, potentially advancing future opportunities for grants and governmental support. Third, through training, mentorship, research experience, and engagement in regional collaboration, this program will build a strong network of local leaders who can train and mentor others across the region as equipment becomes more widely available.
SIMBA
The in-person symposium will be a celebration of our BEAT program, recognizing the accomplishments of our multiple cohorts of dedicated researchers and conservationists who have successfully completed the program. During the symposium, we will showcase the achievements of the participants in scheduled talks where participants will summarize preliminary findings of their research, exchange experiences, and disseminate best practices. The event will serve as a nexus for networking and collaboration, forging strong connections between participants of the first and second year cohorts. We believe that the symposium is not just an event but a catalyst for change, uniting passionate individuals and organizations in a shared mission to preserve the natural world through acoustic monitoring in Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond.
