ONLINE NEWS: WORLDFISH RENEWS MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING WITH UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA AND UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
HIGHLIGHTSPENANG, August 22, 2022 – WorldFish signed today Memorandums of Understanding with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to encourage and promote cooperation in research and knowledge transfer activities for the sustainable development of aquatic food systems between the respective organizations.
Collaboration between WorldFish and UPM dates as far back as the year 2000 when the two organizations along with the other partner organizations worked together on the Reefs at Risk in Southeast Asia project.
On the significance of both MoUs, WorldFish Acting Director of Aquatic Foods Biosciences Dr. John Benzie said:
“It was only natural that the MoUs with UPM and USM be renewed. Our institutions have much in common with regard to producing innovations to transform aquatic food systems to be more sustainable and resilient for a growing population in a changing climate. We look forward to scaling the innovations by Malaysian researchers to the countries where WorldFish works in.”
On the relationship shared by UPM and WorldFish, UPM Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor Nazamid bin Saari said:
“UPM and WorldFish have enjoyed a long footing friendship with each other. Over the last several years, several programs have been established in the field of research by individual institutions on both sides. We will continue to maximize our respective strengths and comparative advantages to complement each other’s strategic work, especially in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture. This will be through our research institute - International Institute of Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS).”
Since the first MoU was signed with USM in 2002, WorldFish and USM have worked on projects including the sensory evaluation of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) and red tilapia cultured in ponds using quantitative descriptive analysis to accumulate technical data on the farming of tilapia to assist the Malaysian government in its efforts to increase tilapia production.
Elaborating on partnering with both universities, WorldFish Acting Director of Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems Professor Dr. Edward Allison said:
“It makes a lot of sense for us to work with Universiti Putra Malaysia, which has a long history in agricultural research including aquatic food systems. The same goes for Universiti Sains Malaysia, which is just right at our doorstep here in Penang. Both are among the top research universities in Malaysia and by working together, we can bring the top minds from each institution together to make aquatic food systems more resilient and sustainable for the millions of people who depend on them.”
Describing USM’s hope from the cooperation with WorldFish, USM Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) Director Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai said:
“USM hopes that this collaboration with WorldFish will continue to enhance sustainable fisheries and aquaculture research and scientific knowledge – finding solutions and to understand issues about aquatic resources – and able to provide students with future jobs and studying opportunities. USM also aims to promote good citizenship and nation-building through strategic neighborhood outreach and impactful projects. Therefore, we hope that the collaboration between USM and WorldFish will create a symbiotic and dynamic environment and provide an ecosystem for researchers and students to conduct research for global sustainability for healthy people and planet.”
On the importance of collaborating with local universities, WorldFish Interim Director General and CGIAR Acting Senior Director of Aquatic Food Systems Dr. Essam Yassin Mohammed said:
“Our mission to end hunger and advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation to transform food, land and water systems with aquatic foods for healthier people and planet will be supported by fostering collaboration with universities in Malaysia, where WorldFish has been based for 22 years. Renewing the MoUs with both universities for a period of ten years shows our commitment to working with Malaysian institutions to achieve a food-secure future for all.”
The MoU exchange ceremony held at WorldFish Headquarters at Batu Maung, Penang was also attended by UPM International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS) Director Professor Dr. Ahmad Zaharin Aris, I-AQUAS Laboratory of Sustainable Aquaculture (AquaLab) Head Associate Professor Dr. Murni Marlina Abd Karim, I-AQUAS Laboratory of Aquatic Ecosystems and Management (EcosystemLab) Head Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Fikri Abdullah and I-AQUAS Research Officer Dr. Illisriyani Ismail.
Also in attendance to witness the exchange of the MoUs were WorldFish Senior Scientist Dr. Rodrigue Yossa, CEMACS Deputy Director Dr. Annette Jaya Ram, CEMACS Senior Lecturer Dr. Abe Woo Sau Pinn, USM School of Biological Sciences (SBS) Senior Lecturer Dr. Kamarul Zaman Zarkasi and USM SBS Lecturer Dr. Noor Khalidah Abdul Hamid.
NOTES TO EDITOR
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