World Oceans Day is recognized by the United Nations (UNESCO) and is celebrated globally on 8 June every year effective from 2009.  

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), in support of the marine resource conservation effort, helped to promote the celebration by organizing the World Oceans Week (WOW’19) programme filled with ocean-awareness activities

According to UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar, as a university focussing on  marine sciences and aquatic resources, UMT decided to have WOW as its annual event.  

“Since the programme’s first implementation several years ago, we have seen reduced litter at the beach areas. This means that our campaign to help conserve the natural environment has been effective.

“This year, we did something new by asking the UMT kayaking club to clean up the areas near a breakwater that is somewhat far from the shore. We hope that more agencies and NGOs would work with UMT to promote the awareness of the importance of the oceans at the national and global level.

She also said that WOW’19 adopted the slogan “Avoid Non-reusable Plastic”, which was in line with UMT’s effort in freeing the oceans from plastic pollution that would endanger marine lives.

In addition to beach clean-up event, WOW’19 was filled with other activities such as Beach Soccer@UMT International Sports Carnival, Sand Castle Building Competition, Ocean-themed Children’s Coloring Competition, and WOW Explorace-Into the Hear of the Sea.

WOW Beach Festival  allowed  the community to be directly involved in the marine biodiversity conservation effort.

WOW’19, which received support from MESTECC and Uptown Kontena Dapo Pata, drew more than 3000 visitors consisting of students and local residents.

Also present at the programme were the Deputy Secretary General (Environment and Climate Change) Dr Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu, UMT Guest Celebrity Fauziah Latiff and Terengganu Tourism Icon Mat Dan.  

Published by:

Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu