PENANG, 29 June 2013 – The Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)should be brought to a higher level, including establishing collaborations with leading research centres andacademics with a clear future direction.

This was stated by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman during his visit to CEMACS in Mukah Head,Teluk Bahang, Penang today.

"CEMACS should fully utilize every facility available with its academics, researchers and even administrators need tohave a clear direction to produce something productive and meaningful as well as develop a niche that can elevate it to a higher level," said Omar.

Obviously, this means CEMACS need to have leadership with a clear mission in mind that could take it to the next level and even higher in its areas of strength, strive to collaborate with other parties and various agencies in order tostrengthen its position as a centre of excellence in research and academic in the world.

"I believe the present leadership in CEMACS is capable of carrying out these responsibilities with full commitmentand dedication.

"We also need to see how the efforts made in other countries including Brunei and Korea in developing their areas of strength and leveraging on academic collaboration in offering multidisciplinary academic programmes involving other related fields or disciplines such as engineering and dentistry besides taking advantage of the capacity developmentof existing resources," said Omar.

The Vice-Chancellor also requested that efforts be made to draw up a succession planning for academics andresearchers to ensure that there is a smooth continuity in the future.

 CEMACS was established in August 1991 to undertake research and postgraduate training in marine science and coastal ecosystems. Its main thrust areas include Mariculture, Mangrove Ecosystem, Marine Pollution and Toxicology, Biodiversity Conservation, Marine Science, Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Coral Reefs Ecosystem.

Earlier the Vice-Chancellor was briefed by the School of Biological Sciences Dean who is also CEMACS Director, Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Sofiman Othman on the facilities at CEMAS and also some programmes carried out by the centre. Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and International Affairs, Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal as well as academics, researchers and staff of the School and CEMACS. -- Text: Mohamad Abdullah & Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Mohamad Danial Shahri/Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe