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UMT Vows to Overcome Global Oceans Issues

UMT Vows to Overcome Global Oceans Issues

Monday, 07/11/2022

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Malaysia is a country rich in natural resources. It is also considered unique as it is surrounded by body of waters, namely the South China Sea and Straits of Malacca. Its strategic location has made it a maritime country.

The health of the earth has been affected with the passage of time and by the technological advancement. The quest for progress and development has led to earth’s resources being harvested and has contributed to pollution.

Because of the pollution, the marine ecosystem has been greatly affected.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), being a university specialising in marine science and aquatic resources, has been organizing various programmes to increase the awareness of every level of the public towards marine conservation.

A small organization however is not capable of making the public become more aware of marine issues by itself, said UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar.

“Let’s work together in the effort to conserve the marine ecosystem for future generations,” he said. “Let’s synergize between academicians, industries, the governments, and the public from all parts of the world.”

Professor Mazlan said the interconnectedness between the natural ecosystem and its reactions are the foundation in development planning.

“Understanding the oceans’ reactions towards the way they are managed is the building block of sustainable development. Studies related to the oceans are also important to predict the impacts of changes and find ways to mitigate them,” said Professor Mazlan in his speech during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Tropical Ocean and Marine Sciences International Symposium (TOMSYS2022) at UMT.

According to experts, about 90 percent of the heat produced by the earth is absorbed by the oceans.

The noticeable increase in the oceans’ temperature resulting from human activities has made the oceans too hot and acidic. The pollution that occurs on land has led to the pollution in the oceans, causing the loss of the country’s marine biodiversity.

According to Professor Mazlan, the organizing of international symposiums may contribute to positive impacts towards the changes in marine environment.

“The theme of this symposium is ‘Ocean Research for Sustainable Future’. I believe the theme gives us the inspiration to fulfil the agendas in the SDGs or known as the Agenda 2030, especially the SDG 14 that aims to ‘Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.’

Meanwhile, UMT has taken new initiatives to ensure better management of the oceans.

“Through INOS, UMT focuses on ocean governance to find better solutions for oceans’ management. Here, the Centre of Ocean Governance has been set up to shoulder the responsibility of conducting scientific studies to assist in policy development.

Through the symposium, the Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) has proven that the centre in its role as the country’s 7th Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) is capable of finding the best solutions to ocean-related issues by integrating scientific data and new technologies using innovative approaches.

 

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Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu