USM PENANG, 30 April 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through its Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), continues to strengthen its global presence in marine science and sustainable aquaculture as its renowned scientist, Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, was invited as a speaker at the International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Aquaculture event.

Held at the University of Stirling, United Kingdom, the hybrid programme brought together leading scientists and researchers from across Southeast Asia and Europe to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in aquaculture while addressing global challenges related to food security, climate change, and sustainable ocean management.

The invitation, extended under the UKRI-funded AQUASoS project, reflects Aileen’s longstanding contributions and international recognition in advancing sustainable aquaculture and community-based marine initiatives.

In her presentation, Aileen shared insights drawn from decades of research and field experience, highlighting the urgent need to transform environmental challenges into opportunities.

She emphasised that the impacts of climate change, ocean acidification, and declining fisheries resources must be addressed through innovative and sustainable aquaculture approaches that are both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.

A key message from her sharing underscored the role of science beyond academia: ‘science must serve humanity.’ Her work continues to reflect this philosophy by bridging scientific research with real-world applications that benefit coastal communities.

Central to her presentation was USM’s success in promoting non-feed aquaculture systems, particularly oyster farming, as a sustainable solution to enhance food security and climate resilience.

These initiatives have demonstrated significant socio-economic impact, especially among coastal communities, where traditional fishermen have experienced substantial increases in income through aquaculture-based livelihoods.

Beyond economic improvements, the programme has created inclusive opportunities for women and youth, encouraging participation in aquaculture activities, small-scale entrepreneurship, and eco-tourism.

This approach not only strengthens community resilience but also supports broader goals such as poverty alleviation, gender empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

USM’s efforts in this field are further strengthened through its involvement in international research collaborations such as the WAVES project and the Climate-Adaptive, Inclusive, Nature-based Aquaculture (CAINA) programme.

These initiatives aim to develop resilient aquaculture systems across Southeast Asia by integrating scientific innovation with socio-economic solutions tailored to local communities.

Participation in the International Women’s Day event highlights USM’s continued commitment to global engagement, knowledge exchange, and leadership in marine science.

It also reinforces the university’s role in advocating for greater recognition of women’s contributions in science and sustainable development.

As emphasised in the closing of the session, the journey towards sustainable aquaculture and meaningful societal change requires long-term commitment, collaboration, and shared responsibility.

Through its research, outreach and international partnerships, USM remains dedicated to advancing a sustainable blue economy while empowering communities and inspiring the next generation of scientists and changemakers.

Source Text: Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), USM