GEORGE TOWN, PENANG, 1 March 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) is in discussions with the International University Network on Cultural and Biological Diversity (IUNCBD) to initiate research efforts on biodiversity and culture in Malaysia.

The Coordinator of IUNCBD, Professor Pierluigi Bozzi said that, his team is committed to offering their expertise and experiences to assist Malaysia in the area of biodiversity preservation.

Bozzi was on a visit to USM and met the lecturers and researchers from the School of Biological Sciences and CEMACS.

He further explained that, both the expertise and experience of IUNCBD in the areas of biodiversity and culture could also be shared with the experts from USM, to improve the knowledge of the local public and also in helping to improve their socio-economic status.

Bozzi also had a meeting with the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman to discuss opportunities for cooperation with USM, including via the Knowledge Transfer Programme especially for the fishermen in Penang.

Omar said, USM constantly strives to increase collaborations at the international level with the available expertise, especially in areas of research with the potential to assist society, and truly welcomed the cooperation extended by IUNCBD.

The Director of CEMACS, Professor Dr. Ahmad Sofiman Othman also welcomed IUNCBD’s intention of establishing relations in raising the understanding of the public on the importance of biodiversity.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dato' Dr. Muhamad Jantan and the Dean, School of Biological Sciences, Professor Dr. Amirul Al-Ashraf Balakrishnan Abdullah.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Syuhada Abd. Aziz