Academicians recognised at investiture ceremony

FIVE academicians from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) have been honoured at the investiture ceremony to mark Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak 73rd birthday celebration.

USM’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs) director Prof Dato’ Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai said she was grateful that the academicians were recognised by the Penang government for their contributions to society.

“We are thankful that our role as academicians is being recognised by a broader community through the government.

“As academicians, we want to play our role as advisers to policymakers. The findings in educational institutions need to be translated into actions, policies, and regulations.

“This is why academicians and the government must work together towards the same goal.

“We are happy that the Penang government is very supportive. Our state is not only supportive of development but also of environmental conservation.

“It can work together with the academicians to protect the environment,” she said when met at Dewan Sri Pinang after the ceremony.

Prof Tan, who is more fondly known as Dr Aileen, also spoke about The Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary.

“Together with marine scientist Prof Dato’ Dr Zulfigar Yasin who is leading the effort, Cemacs are trying to protect the seagrass areas in Penang.

“Prof Zulfigar is helping in Cemacs and we are trying to gazette the marine seagrass area as a marine sanctuary with the support of the state.

“The seagrass ecosystem is one of the most efficient carbon sequesters and carbon sinks. They can absorb and hold carbon, preventing it from polluting the air or water.

“Comparatively, the seagrass is a better carbon sequester than a tropical rainforest. And many people are not aware of the importance of seagrass in mitigating climate change,” she said.

In November last year, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow revealed the plans to gazette the Middle Bank as a marine sanctuary.

It was reported by an English media that the initiative is termed ‘Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary’ (MBMS) and it will cover the stretch of the sea from the seagrass meadow until Pulau Gazumbo, the nickname for an isle north of Penang Bridge.

Dr Aileen was conferred the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN) award, which carries the title, Dato’, during the investiture ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang.

Dr AIleen at Dewan Sri Pinang.

Four others – Prof Zulfigar, USM’s School of Biological Sciences dean Prof Dr Amirul Al-Ashraf Balakrishnan Abdullah, USM’s Engineering Campus director Prof Dr Nor Azazi Zakaria and USM lecturer Prof Dr Noraida Endut received the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award, which also carries the title, Dato’.

Prof Zulfigar said the recognition cuts across all levels of society and highlights the important role of educators in these challenging times.

“I hope that this will provide us with more opportunities to contribute to the community at large, specifically to those close to us in Penang.

“The award recognises and endorses much of our work done as educationists and hopefully provides inspiration to our students and colleagues.

“Working in a conservative society like Malaysia presents a special set of challenges. While maintaining our traditional values, we need to be more progressive to be competitive and relevant in these changing times.

“Tradition and culture make us who we are but to be competitive, we need to develop new insights and innovate. As societal leaders, this recognition presents us with new opportunities to drive this change,” he said.

Prof Zulfigar added that the post-covid world reveals the many vulnerabilities that the people are facing now.

“It taught us how to survive but more importantly to bring about fundamental changes and move forward towards a more secure future.

“We recognise the detrimental impact of climate change on the global scale, but we know very little about what these dangers mean in the Malaysian context.

“We are understanding the impact of these changes and providing resiliency measures for Malaysian society,” he said.

Prof Zulfigar receiving the DSPN award from Ahmad Fuzi.

He said resiliency measures are being formulated at Cemacs and its partner, Penang Institute.

“We appreciate the support and understanding by various sectors, agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to our projects in Penang and Malaysia.

“The recognition by the Penang government through this award validates our important work,” he added.

Story by Christopher Tan

Pix by Law Suun Ting and Siti Nuratikah Rahmat