UMT | Portal Rasmi Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

UMT’S AKUATROP RECOGNISED AS HICoE

UMT’S AKUATROP RECOGNISED AS HICoE

Monday, 04/01/2021

Share This Article :

The Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), was recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Education as Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) under the Research and Innnovation Thrust on 3 November 2020.

AKUATROP was the only centre of excellence to have been recognised as HICoE this year. It became the second centre of excellence at UMT after the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS). The recognition was announced through a letter by Higher Education Department that was received on 22 December 2020.

AKUATROP’s research niche is Future Food. The centre’s research theme, Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture, is in line with the its main focus area, which is aquaculture and fisheries.

AKUATROP is set to receive a fund totaling RM6.6 million, which it will use to focus on research related to shellfish. This is in line with the action plans and directions of HICoE for Phase 1, which covers the first three years of HICoE programme, and will begin from 1 January 2021 until 31 December 2023.

As HICoE, AKUATROP will gather a group of established researchers at UMT especially those in aquaculture under one roof, led by Professor Dr Mhd Ikhwanuddin Abdullah, AKUATROP’s director. There will be 20 researchers, five of which are main researchers and 15 associate researchers.

Four research programmes have been established, namely Aquaculture Resource Sustainability, Aquaculture Breeding Technology, Aquaculture Green Technology, and Fish Health and Food Quality Assurance.

Eight key performance indicators (KPI) have been put in place throughout the implementation of HICoE. This is in line with the achievements set forth in UMT Strategic Plan and evaluation system under HICoE. Among the KPIs set are increased research grants from the industries and international agencies, high-impact publications through research collaborations, increased research products, and income generations from courses, trainings, and products related to the research niche.

AKUATROP’ HICoE programme targets seven main outcomes after five years of implementation. These outcomes have been developed based on the quintuple helix, with the outcomes focusing on benefits to the academia, industries, government, and communities through the development of research laboratories, aquaculture journal publications, and research development centre under the research niche.

Through the recognition as HICoE, AKUATROP is in position to support the National Food Security Policy under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 introduced by the Prime Minister last May.

 

Original version in Malay by:

Solihah Binti Ahmad

Senior Assistant Registrar

Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP)

 

English translation by:

Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)