TELUK BAHANG, 25 July 2022 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) today received a visit from the French Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Roland Galharague together with former Dean, USM School of Chemical Sciences who is currently the President of The Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences Association (ATAS), Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Augustine Ong Soon Hock.

The visit among others were intended to look at the initiatives by CEMACS in their training and research activities and areas of expertise in marine science.

Among the items discussed during the visit was to look at initiatives developed to further strengthen the potential collaboration between France and Malaysia.

His Excellency and Tan Sri Augustine later took a tour around the centre, visiting the hatcheries and laboratories of crustaceans, molluscs, phytoplankton, cockles, corals, sea cucumbers and seagrapes, as well as the referenced collection museum and the gardens surrounding CEMACS, led by its Director, Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai.

Also present were the Attaché for Science Higher Education at the French Embassy in Malaysia, Dr. Valèrie Barbosa, guests from ATAS and other researchers involved in various studies at CEMACS.

His Excellency, Tan Sri Augustine and the rest of the delegates were all enthralled with the beauty and charm of the Centre’s natural surroundings, research and training facilities as well as the impactful research work carried out there.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman