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CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT DAY WITH TENGKU PUTERI UTAMA RAJA AT UMT MARINE RESEARCH STATION, BIDONG ISLAND

CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT DAY WITH TENGKU PUTERI UTAMA RAJA AT UMT MARINE RESEARCH STATION, BIDONG ISLAND

Sunday, 31/10/2021

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Conservation efforts towards the environment and cultural heritage are needed to preserve the country’s marine treasures and aesthetics.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is in full support of these environmental conservation initiatives and makes every effort to increase people’s awareness wherever they are, including at its Marine Research Station on Bidong Island. The station is used by UMT researchers and students to conduct studies on marine lives. The station is also well-known among outsiders as it offers scuba diving licensing package.

Among the popular activities are snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, and jungle trekking. Through these activities, UMT hopes to create awareness among participants that it is important to preserve the sustainability of the ecosystem and the coral reefs near the island’s waters.

Recently, Her Highness Tengku Nadhirah Zaharah binti Al-Wathiqu Billah Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Tengku Puteri Utama Raja, deigned to visit the research station, in conjunction with the celebration of National Environment Day 2021.

UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said that the noble efforts shown by Her Highness will become an inspiration to the younger generation to be involved in environmental conservation activities.

“Her Highness was briefed on the history of Bidong Island, which used to be a settlement area for Vietnamese refugees during 1978-1991. Her Highness was also informed that UMT is the only university to own a research station on the island that is full of hidden treasures,” Professor Mazlan said.

In conjunction with Her Highness’s visit, a tree was planted, with the event witnessed by a group of UMT students from Persatuan Anak Terengganu (PERMATA UMT) (children of Terengganu Association).

During the visit, Her Highness spent some time scuba diving around the island and nearby locations including Karah Island and Geluk Island to see the coral reefs and other marine lives up close.  Her Highness was taken to see the 600-year-old artifact on the seabed, said Baharim Mustapa, Deputy Director of the Centre for Research and Field Services.

In addition, Her Highness visited the abandoned camp of Vietnamese boat people where monuments including temples and churches.

Also present on the island were Professor Dr Fauziah Abu Hasan, Pro Vice Chancellor (Corporate Affairs and Industrial Networking) cum Director of Corporate Communications Officer, and Associate Professor Dr Hasrizal Shaari, Director of Centre for Research and Field Services.

 

Original version in Malay written by:
Tengku Nuriah Tengku Abdul Rahman
Centre for Research and Field Services, UMT

English translation by:
Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Email: pro@umt.edu.my
Tel: 09-66848/4261