Sealife Savior: Beach Cleanup
10/11/23
Marine Science Club would like to share the success of the Environmental Sustainability program, Sealife Savior: Beach Cleanup which has been going on all this morning at Teluk Ketapang Beach. This program was initially organized by the Marine Science Club, UMT and the Terengganu National Consumer Action Council (MTPN). However, we are very pleased when the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Terengganu, Sports & Welfare Club of Permint Urus (KESUKEP) of PMINT and P-Excell Welfare Club (K-Pex) of PMINT also participated in this program. We express our deepest appreciation to all partners, JK program, lecturers and Marine Science students involved in making today’s program a success.
CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS FOOD SECURITY, HEALTH GLOBALLY
Tuesday, 05/12/2023
During the last 100,000 years, there has been an increase in the highest global temperature, and the heat level was at a record-setting high.
This was shared by a group of international researchers during the launching of “The 2023 Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate change: The imperative for a health-centred response in a world facing irreversible harms.”
According to the report, extreme heat may be harmful and may endanger the lives of adults aged above 65 and infants aged below one, who are considered to belong to a high-risk group.
The report explains that climate change may damage the natural system and resource sustainability. This damage indirectly affects the level of human health globally. Increased temperature causes the soil to be less fertile and this ultimately affects plants and crops that become humans’ main food sources.
This worrying condition may also affect clean water sources, sanitation, and food production. The frequent heat wave and draught lately has affected the world’s food supply demand, and it has caused the world’s population to face the risk of nutritional deficiencies, directly affecting the public’s health.
The situation will worsen if the uncertain climate phenomena like this continues. It may potentially cause more population to face the risk of infectious diseases such as dengue, malaria, vibriosis, and West Nile virus, which may threaten lives.
The Lancet Countdown 2023 hosted by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) also drew the attention of Deputy Prime Minister who was present at the opening ceremony at Sultan Abdullah Hospital, Puncak Alam, on 1 December.
UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar in his speech said the university is highly committed in its effort to find the best solution to overcome the issue of global climate change.
“UMT is committed to continuing the event, and this is the third time that UMT serves as the event host and as the global partner. We are proud of the involvement of the country’s leader Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to help us further strengthen the effort to overcome the issue of climate change that is getting worse thereby affecting the global food security and health.”
Lancet Countdown is a collaborative programme between international researchers who monitor the impact of climate change on human health. They total 114, consisting of scientists and health practitioners from 52 research institutions and PBB agencies around the world.
Last year, the Lancet Countdown emphasized the use of alternative energies to reduce dependency on fossil fuel and manage the issue of climate change, high cost of living, and health crisis, for the health of all humans and the sustainability of the environment.
Innovation practices need to be nurtured to produce innovative, creative future generations
Wednesday, 21/06/2023
The progress that is enjoyed today is the work of a group of thinkers that have always been attempting to innovate to improve products or make work processes able to be completed more effectively and efficiently.
An innovation culture must be instilled among students in order for the country to continue to have a variety of quality products that can benefit society and the environment.
By definition, innovation means methods of findings ways to create better products or services whether through modifications or improvements.
It is generated from creative and innovative ideas relating to aspects of work that can improve the quality and productivity of organisations.
Generally, innovation encompasses any changes in the forms of systems and procedures, methods and ways of working, and even technological introductions.
Innovation is the main aspect that helps an organisation remain progressive and competitive. An innovation culture is seen as able to catapult the performance of companies or organisations to the optimum level if all staff work creatively and innovatively as a team for improvement. In addition, innovation products created can become a source of income for organisations if the products can successfully penetrate the market.
Based on a study carried out by Microsoft and IDC, roughly 77 percent of business entrepreneurs in Malaysia emphasize innovation and it is a must for them to quickly respond to market challenges and opportunities in line with the effort by Malaysia to adapt and build business stability to face the challenging environment.
In support of the cultivation of innovation among society especially students, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has drafted several initiatives whereby all faculties and research institutes are asked to organize various types of programmes related to innovation.
Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatic (FTKKI) lecturer Dr. Siti Norbakyah Jabar said innovation practices need to be inculcated among students as preparation for the work world.
“To continue the generation of innovation on a consistent basis, FTKKI has organised an innovation competition based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG),” said Dr. Siti Norbakyah, who was present at the Mini Exhibition EDI 2023.
“This event is the best platform for students to hone their minds and show their talents and ability to create and plan systematically.
In fact, according to Dr. Siti Norbakyah, the programme helps with the creation of a variety of ideas and solutions that can be practised in everyday lives that are in line with the environmental conservation.
“The world in this era of technological explosion needs individuals who are open-minded and can generate various ideas that not only benefit the industry but solve problems related to society, lives, and the environment.
She added programmes that encourage innovation need to be varied and supported by various parties including the corporate sector to produce future generations that are able to steer the country towards a better direction.
UMT widens its marine conservation campaign
Sunday, 09/07/2023
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has recently organized a one-day carnival in an effort to promote the ocean conservation campaign.
The event was a sign of support from the institution popularly known as the marine university for the World Oceans Day celebrated globally every 8 June.
UMT continuously promotes the conservation of ocean resource conservation efforts and fills its calendar with activities that aim to increase the awareness of the importance of ocean conservation among every segmen of the society.
UMT’s Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS) Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir said the institute has been entrusted with devising strategies and outlining the activities that lean towards ocean conservation campaign.
“Several campaigns have been organized for the past ten years, and we noticed that the society has begun to realize the importance of environmental conservation.
“The effort must be continued for the awareness to remain in the people’s hearts. It is important that we start introducing this to kindergarten and primary school pupils to mould them to become agents that disseminate information on ocean conservation in the future.
The theme for the carnival was Planet Ocean: Time to Change, chosen in line with the climate change occurring in the ocean and on land lately.
“We hope more agencies and NGOs will collaborate with UMT in promoting activities related to the awareness of the importance of the ocean at the national and global levels.
He said various activities were specially arranged for the community around Kuala Nerus to join to make the event a success.
“We organized several effects, including a beach cleanup, an exhibition with the community, sand castle building competition, beach volleyball tournament, colouring contest for children, indoor rowing competition, ship building from reusable material competition, and WOW ship.”
Meanwhile, UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar urged all parties to support UMT’s effort in environmental conservation.
“UMT takes the initiative to educate and make the people realize the importance of ocean conservation, befitting its status as a university focusing on marine science and s aquatic resources.
“Melalui program seperti ini ia memberi peluang kepada masyarakat untuk terlibat secara langsung bersama-sama UMT dalam usaha memulihara alam sekitar dan menyemai semangat untuk melindungi biodiversiti marin demi kehidupan yang lebih baik”. Katanya.
“This sort of programme gives the society an opportunity to be directly involved with UMT to conserve the environment and instill the motivation to protect the marine biodiversity for a better life,” he said.
UMT USES ITS RESEARCH FINDINGS TO IMPROVE SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SEDILI
Monday, 28/08/2023
Befitting its slogan “University for Society”, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has once again organized an activity involving a community. The event which included the release of mud crab seeds was held at Sedili Kecil, Kota Tinggi. Higher Education Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin officiated the programme.
The programme was held in response to a strong recommendation by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) that each research conducted by universities needs to be shared with stakeholders that comprise students, society, and industries.
A similar programme held earlier in May in Kota Tinggi received positive feedback from the community. The success encouraged UMT to continue organizing such activities, this time a programme that saw about 10,000 mud crab seeds being released into Sedili Kecil river.
The programme can be impactful in that it can potentially help the local fishermen increase their catch and help increase the population of mud crabs at Sedili Kecil so that their number is sustainable in the future.
Higher education institutions should not just implement activities at nearby localities but need to see the potential at other areas, said Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled. MOHE emphasizes MADANI economic elements that consist of Talent Preparation, Research and Innovation, Knowledge Transfer, and Internationalization to strengthen Malaysia’s higher education.
The programme held in collaboration with MOHE is part of UMT’s social responsibility initiative that aims to improve social wellbeing. The aim can be achieved through activities that focus on strengthening the society, research relevant to social issues, and collaborations with other sectors to create positive impacts, such as the programme held today.
UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said UMT stresses on three main roles, namely generation of new knowledge through impactful research, dissemination of new knowledge through academic programmes, and transfer of research-based knowledge to help solve problems in society.
He said the effort by UMT can help generate a source of income for Sedili Kecil community and nearby areas. The university shows high commitment to transform the lives of fishermen through research and knowledge transfer activities. This is part of UMT’s contributions to socioeconomic development of the fishermen community in Sedili. It is hoped the programme can lead to sustainable fisheries industry in the area.
