PENANG, August 2014 - Although Malaysia is not geographically located within the Mekong River Valley, the expertise of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) academics has enabled the University to be the sole representative of the regional cooperation in the management and ecology of the Mekong Valley.

With a length of up to 4,700 kilometers (km), the Mekong River is one of the longest river in the world and the second richest in terms of biodiversity after the Amazon River, promising a big treasure house ofknowledge for scientists to explore.

USM indirect involvement in the partnership which is known as the Wetland University Network (WUN) is seen as an opportunity that will yield great benefits in the development of science.

USM School of Biological Sciences lecturer, Professor Dr. Mashhor Mansor, said that because of USM’s expertise in the field of environment, it has been selected to join WUN, a network of 20 selected universities from Asean countries with river valleys and wetlands including China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

He said that USM’s participation in a smart network will enable USM researchers to benefit in studying and understanding the ecological biodiversity of the Mekong Valley that attracted many, including countries that are located along the river.

“USM has the best expertise in the field of wetlands and it is an honour for Malaysia when local expertise is being sought in the management of the world’s natural environment and biodiversity.

“USM is also able to establish a regional cooperation in developing a detailed research on the Mekong Basin, thus helping to raise the country's scientists to greater heights especially in the areas of environmental studies,” he said.

Mashhor was met together with his counterpart from Cantho University, Vietnam, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Wetland University Network (WUN), Professor Dr. Duong Van Ni.

Duong also said he looked highly to the ability of USM scientists to advance research in wetlands. He is also expecting USM to provide a significant contribution towards capacity building in the related areas.

With 35 years experience in research, particularly research related to the wetlands and the Mekong Basin, he said that he has great hopes to see such cooperation contributing to the capacity building of the countries involved.

“We are hoping for more specific programmes to be carried out among the countries involved andMalaysia is also looked upon to help play a bigger role through its involvement in regional cooperation.

“We also see several recent efforts, including increasing the number of postgraduate students in related fields, creating a comprehensive database on management and ecology of the Mekong Valley, establishing a special museum and many more,” he said. - Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo: Mina Seifi