Putrajaya, 17 September- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has continued its effort towards ocean sustainability improvement through an exchange of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with ALS Technichem (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. The collaboration with UMT’s newest partner was materialized through a joint effort between UMT’s Faculty of Science and Marine Environment and Knowledge Transfer and Industry Linkages Centre.

UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar in her speech said that UMT-ALS Technichem collaboration is aimed at creating new innovations in identifying microplastic polymers that pose threats to marine ecosystem.

“Microplastic pollution within the marine ecosystem has been on the increase recently. The ocean floor has become a place for microplastic to accumulate, and this has disturbed the food chain, which may give rise to unwanted effects on humans and marine lives,” Professor Nor Aieni said.

“In line with the university’s main focus, which is marine science and aquatic resources, the issue of microplastic is one of the main areas of our research at UMT. This is part of UMT’s contribution towards SDG 14 (Life Below Water),” she added.

She also added that the collaboration between UMT and ALS Technichem (M) is important in order to understand the causes of microplastic pollution and its effects on the ecosystem. It will also assist the government in managing the problem at the national and global level as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

UMT’s Microplastic Research Interest Group (MRIG) is collaborating with NAHRIM, Fisheries Research Institute (FRI), Department of Fisheries Sea Park, and WWF Malaysia in microplastic research.

MRIG is also collaborating with IOC-WESTPAC; UNESCO/IOC Regional Training and Research Centre; East China Normal University, Shanghai; LIPI (Institute of Science Indonesia), Ambon, Indonesia; National University of Singapore; and Prince Songkhla University, Thailand, in microplastic research and in creating awareness of the threat of plastic pollution in the ocean.

According to Professor Nor Aieni, the partnership creates opportunities for UMT researchers to carry out extensive studies regarding microplastic in the ocean.

UMT welcomes collaborations with industries as their involvement supports the Malaysia Education Plan 2015-2025 (Higher Education), said Professor Nor Aieni towards the end her speech.

UMT has partnered with ALS Technichem (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. especially in academic activities, such as Industrial Training programme, since 2012. For the last two years, UMT has introduced the Industry in the Classroom programme where experts from the industry were invited to share their knowledge and experience with UMT students. ALS Technichem has participated in this programme, and several UMT alumni have been recruited as chemists, QA and QC officers at the company.

According to ALS Technichem General Manager Dr Chin Teen Teen, microplastic pollution has become more serious due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been reported that more than 12,000 tons of plastic-based waste such as face masks, face shields, and hand gloves were discarded everyday.

“Some of this waste from COVID-19 pandemic will take almost 400 years to degrade completely, so the research collaboration is taking this issue into account,” Dr Chin said.

The MOA signing ceremony was held at UMT’s Strategic Communication Centre in Putrajaya. Those present at the event were Mohd Azli Mohd Zin, Senior Manager (Law, Secretariat, and Human Development) on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer of Progressive Impact Corporation Berhad; Dr Chin Teen Teen, General Manager of ALS Technichem (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; and principal officers of UMT.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Tuan Nurul Sabiqah Tuan Anuar

Faculty of Science and Marine Environment

Tel: 09-668 3723/ 0 19-272 3430

Email: sabiqahanuar@umt.edu.my

Published by:

Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Tel: 09-6684418