Kuala Nerus — UMT is set to further strengthen its role in Polar Research with the signing of the Smart Partnership Initiative (SPI) Third Cycle: 2026–2030, a collaboration agreement that covers research grants, fellowship schemes, and logistical support for young Malaysian scientists. The agreement has also been signed by 11 other universities.

The ceremony was graced by His Royal Highness Al-Wathiqu Billah Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Sultan of Terengganu and Patron of YPASM, in conjunction with the Launch of Antarctic Day 2025 held at Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) on 8 December 2025.

According to the Deputy Director of the National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC), Associate Professor Dr Wan Mohd Rauhan Wan Hussin, who is also a lecturer at UMT, in support of the 2025 Antarctic Day celebration, UMT organised two programmes that demonstrate the university’s commitment to environmental conservation. These included the planting of 50 Rhu and Ketapang saplings along the coastline. This tree-planting effort not only helps absorb carbon and reduce the risk of rising global temperatures, but also serves as a natural early step in mitigating coastal erosion. The implementation of “Growing Green for the Land of Ice” involved 60 participants from various groups, including local communities such as Geng Plastik Ija and the Pengkalan Jie Fisheries Community.

A Beach Clean-Up Programme was also held around UMT Beach. The morning clean-up activity, with participation from 70 individuals aged between 5 and 73, successfully collected a total of 265.5 kg of various types of waste, which was then managed by MBKT for subsequent processing.

This first-ever national-level celebration also aimed to raise youth awareness about the importance of Antarctica as a symbol of global peace and an indicator of climate change, while supporting Malaysia’s commitment to scientific research and environmental sustainability. In addition, UMT received recognition through the awarding of an Antarctic Research Grant worth RM50,000 to Dr. Madzli Harun, Lecturer at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, UMT, by the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM). UMT will continue to support environmental sustainability efforts to ensure the sustainability of the global ecosystem.

By:

Engku Nurul Aima Tengku Amri

Corporate Communications Office

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