LANGKAWI: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is offering to work with related agencies to enhance its contribution to the field of oceanography and maritime safety in the country.
Its vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar said she hoped that with UMT’s participation at the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA’19) Exhibition, it would provide a platform for any quarters to forge cooperation with the university.
“We have our research vessel, RV Discovery, which is also participating in LIMA. It is the one and only maritime asset that conduct research in oceanography and maritime, apart from vessels belonging to the security forces for maritime security and safeguard the country’s sovereignty, like the Royal Malaysian Navy.
“We want LIMA’19 to be the starting point for industry players to forge cooperation with UMT so that we can work together for the benefit of the two fields and provide jobs for our graduates,” she added.
She was met by Bernama at the LIMA’19 exhibition held at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre here.
Nor Aieni said RV Discovery’s participation in LIMA in this edition was to make a scientific expedition through two routes, namely the South China Sea and the Straits of Melaka.
It set sail from Kuala Terengganu last March 13 and is berthed at Tanjung Lembong, Langkawi since March 22, she added.
The expedition, involving 25 scientists and researchers, passed through more than 45 research locations along the way.
She said the historic journey by RV Discovery was made to recognise the role of women in oceanography and was led by UMT chairman of Marine Biology Programme, School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Dr Roswati Md Amin.
The focus of the expedition is to study the effect of environmental pollution and climate change on marine life and also to study the coral reefs and its inhabitants at specified locations, including Pulau Perak, Kedah. – Bernama
