Kuala Nerus — Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) researcher Dr. Madzli Harun was one of the 12 national researchers who received a special grant in conjunction with the 2025 Antarctic Day Celebration, officiated by His Royal Highness Al-Wathiqu Billah Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Sultan of Terengganu and Patron of the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM).

The grant award enables him to conduct research related to Malaysia’s policy and governance engagement in Antarctic research, while also strengthening the role of polar research through the Smart Partnership Initiative (SPI) 2026–2030. The collaboration covers research grants, fellowship schemes, and logistical support for young scientists, involving 11 universities.

Deputy Director of the National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC), Associate Professor Dr Wan Mohd Rauhan Wan Hussin, who is also a lecturer at UMT, said that in support of Antarctic Day 2025, UMT organised two programmes that reflect the university’s commitment to environmental conservation through the planting of 50 Rhu (Casuarina) and Ketapang (Sea Almond) saplings along the coastline.

“The tree planting not only helps with carbon absorption and subsequently reduces the risk of rising global temperatures but also serves as a natural initial step in addressing coastal erosion issues. The implementation of Growing Green for the Land of Ice involved 60 participants from various groups, including local communities such as Geng Plastik Ija and the Pengkalan Jie Fisheries Community,” he said.

He added that UMT also organised a Beach Clean-Up Programme around UMT Beach, which served as a platform to disseminate environmental conservation campaigns with direct relevance to global climate change.

The national-level celebration, held for the first time, also aimed to raise awareness among youth about the importance of Antarctica as a symbol of global peace and an indicator of global climate change, while supporting Malaysia’s commitment to scientific research and environmental sustainability. In addition, UMT received recognition through the awarding of an Antarctic Research Grant worth RM50,000 to Dr. Madzli Harun, a lecturer at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, UMT, by the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM).

UMT will continue to support efforts to sustain the environment in order to ensure the long-term preservation of global ecosystem sustainability.

By:

Engku Nurul Aima Tengku Amri

Corporate Communications Office

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