Volunteering for Pulau Sembilan Conservation Day 2023

Nor Farah Farina binti Nor Rahim, a student in Biodiversity Management, participated in Sembilan Island Conservation Day during her industrial training. The programme, sponsored by Perbadanan Taman Negeri Perak (PTNP), involved various volunteer associations, including the Friends of Nature Activist Association (KUASA), the Perak Ocean 9 Conservation Association (Ocean 9), the Pure Soul Team from the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Nature & Oceanography Advocate Society (NOAS) diving team and Nine Divers. The divers removed trash from the seabed and brought it to the surface to be collected by volunteers. They successfully collected 2282.70 kg of garbage, divided into fishing/marine equipment, recyclable plastic, glass, aluminium/tins, and non-recyclable items. The Sultan of Perak handed over certificates of appreciation to the volunteers, in recognition of their efforts as part of the SDG 14: Life Below Water.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/sukarelawan-hari-konservasi-pulau-sembilan-2023/

Community Service Programme by the UiTM Dengkil Foundation Centre: Bagan Pinang Beach Clean-up

The Bagan Pinang Beach Clean-up, organised by the UiTM Dengkil Foundation Centre in collaboration with the Port Dickson Municipal Council, aimed to address coastal pollution in Malaysia as it negatively impacts aquatic life, tourist comfort, and human health. Five lecturers and 89 students from the Physics Unit cleaned up the beach area from 8am to 4pm on 14th October 2023. The programme also aimed to raise awareness about the shared responsibility of maintaining cleanliness and to produce holistic students who are not only focused on learning in the lecture hall but also engage in beneficial social activities outside the classroom. This programme contributes to SDG 14 – Life Below Water, which focuses on sustainable use and care for marine, ocean, and sea resources.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/program-khidmat-masyarakat-bagan-pinang-beach-clean-up-anjuran-pusat-asasi-uitm-dengkil-dengan-kerjasama-majlis-perbandaran-port-dickson/

Monitoring and Maintenance of 100 Fish Pond Online System Using Iot (Web and Mobile App)

Tenggaroh Agroville Sdn. Bhd. has granted approval for a research project led by Professor Ts. Dr Jasni Mohamad Zain from the Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Institute (IBDAAI), UiTM Shah Alam. Titled “Monitoring and Maintenance of 100 Fish Pond Online System Using IoT (Web and Mobile App),” this initiative aimed to enhance aquaculture management through advanced technology. The project, with an approved budget of RM 934,500.00, ran from 1st July 2021 to 30th June 2023 and it involved 10 researchers from IBDAAI. The researchers produced periodic and final reports to be submitted to the Research Management Center (RMC) for oversight and updates. This project aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water, by leveraging innovative solutions to improve the monitoring and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems, supporting healthier marine life and more efficient fisheries management.

Enhancing Coral Reef Resilience: UiTM Research on Ocean Acidification

This research, led by a UiTM lecturer, aims to address the pressing issue of ocean acidification (OA) and its impact on coral reef ecosystems, which are crucial for marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. The study focuses on three key areas:

• the current status of OA parameters,
• the effects of physicochemical water parameters on OA and carbonate chemistry, and
• the influence of OA on coral growth and recruitment.

By measuring critical factors such as pH and total alkalinity in seawater and using advanced monitoring tools like Calcification Accretion Units and Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures, this research provides vital insights into how OA affects coral reefs. The findings will help develop an OA database for monitoring and strategic planning, supporting efforts to protect and sustain marine ecosystems. This work aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water, by advancing our understanding and response to the challenges faced by marine environments.

Evaluating Marine Protected Areas in Southeast Asia: Balancing Ecology and Socioeconomics with Agent Based Models

The research project, led by a UiTM researcher, focuses on evaluating management strategies in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across Southeast Asia to ensure both biophysical and socioeconomic benefits. The study employs agent-based models to simulate and analyse the effects of various management approaches on marine ecosystems and local communities. By assessing these strategies, the project aims to optimise conservation efforts, enhance marine biodiversity, and support sustainable livelihoods for coastal populations. The research will identify effective practices that balance ecological health with economic needs, addressing challenges such as overfishing and habitat degradation. The findings will contribute to more informed decision-making and improved MPA management, aligning with SDG 14: Life Below Water. This goal emphasises the need for sustainable ocean use and the protection of marine ecosystems to ensure their long-term health and productivity.

Assessing Pharmaceutical Pollutants’ Impact on Malaysian Polychaetes for Marine Ecosystem Health

UiTM researchers are investigating the biological effects of pharmaceutical pollutants on Malaysian polychaetes, specifically *Marphysa moribidii* and *Diopatra claparedii*, using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based metabolomics. Polychaetes play a crucial role in sediment biogeochemistry and can serve as bioindicators of environmental health. The study examines the impact of various pharmaceuticals—metformin, amoxicillin, paracetamol, carbamazepine, diclofenac, and caffeine—on these organisms. By analysing changes in metabolic and neuroendocrine activity, the research aims to identify how these pollutants affect polychaetes’ health and their role in marine ecosystems. This project aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans. Understanding the effects of pharmaceutical pollutants on marine life supports better management practices to protect marine ecosystems and ensure their long-term health and sustainability.

UiTM Law Lecturer Outreach International Programme “Food Security: Saving Our Fish”

The UiTM Law Lecturer Outreach programme, titled “Food Security: Saving Our Fish,” focuses on addressing the critical issues surrounding marine conservation and food security. This initiative emphasises the urgent need to protect fish populations, which are vital for global food security and the health of marine ecosystems. By engaging in international outreach, the programme aims to raise awareness about the impact of overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction on fish stocks. It promotes sustainable fishing practices and the development of policies that ensure the long term viability of marine resources. This effort aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water, which seeks to conserve and sustainably manage ocean resources. The programme’s commitment to educating and collaborating on global solutions underscores its role in advancing marine conservation and securing food resources for future generations.

Coastal Guardians: Beach Clean Up and Sustainable Awareness Programme

A beach cleaning programme in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan has attracted over 200 participants for the first time. The programme, led by UiTM, the Environmental Club (BEVA) of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Policy Studies, and UiTM Industry, Community and Alumni Network Centre (ICAN), was carried out at Cahaya Negeri beach, Port Dickson on 3rd June 2023. The programme aimed to reduce the production of domestic solid waste in coastal areas, which is expected to increase 1.5 times by 2050. In addition, its objectives were to engage the community in environmental conservation efforts, raise awareness, and foster collective responsibility for maintaining clean and sustainable coastal areas. The activities carried out include collecting garbage and waste, recycling, manufacturing waste products, and urban planting applications, with facilitators from Maybank.The event also featured the Deputy Vice Chancellor of ICAN, State Government agencies, and private companies. Cooperation between local authorities, state government agencies, and private companies is crucial for implementing environmental education and awareness programmes among Malaysians. This effort aligns with SDG 14 and SDG 15 as well as the government’s goal to make Malaysia a clean, beautiful, and prosperous country.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/lebih-200-pelajar-sertai-aktiviti-pembersihan-pantai-di-port-dickson/

 Ikan Puyu Farming Entrepreneurship Programme in Charuk Puting Village, Temerloh, Sponsored by CIMB Foundation (CIMB Foundation)

UiTM Pahang and Pertubuhan Pondok Perdana Malaysia have partnered to conduct a fish farming entrepreneurship programme that aims to teach local communities with B40 status to promote economic activities, generate revenue, and enhance their marketability. The “Fish Farming Programme for Rural Communities” was fully funded by the CIMB Foundation through its Community Link Grant-CIMB Foundation. The goal of this programme is to assist Kampung Charuk Puting’s local community in raising and enhancing their socioeconomic status. Since 2007, the CIMB Foundation has effectively carried out more than a thousand community based activities in Malaysia. In this project, the CIMB Foundation provided RM36,000 for the ‘ikan puyu’ (climbing bass) farming business initiative, and 20 participants received instruction and hands-on experience from consultants and facilitators from UiTM Pahang. The participants also learned entrepreneurial skills to market their products.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/program-keusahawanan-penternakan-ikan-puyu-di-kampung-charuk-puting-temerloh-tajaan-yayasan-cimb-cimb-foundation/

Sakura Science Exchange Programme: UiTM Gains Knowledge on the Sustainability of Tropical Marine Aquaculture in Okinawa, Japan

From 12th to 22nd November 2023, nine participants from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia participated in the Sakura Science Exchange Programme which was held in Okinawa, Japan. This initiative, titled “International Joint Technical Exchange Programme for the Promotion and Incubation of Sustainable Tropical Marine Aquaculture,” fully funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). During the 10-day. programme, the participants visited several industrial sites and research centres such as the Okinawa Prefectural Fisheries Research and Extension Centre, Euglena Co., Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute, Okinawa Prefectural Sea Farming Centre, Onna Village Fisheries Cooperative Association, Okinawa Mozuku Board, Marine Aquaculture Centre Sesoko Station, Okinawa Prefectural Sea Farming Centre, and Tropical Biosphere Research Centre. Many valuable insights were gained from the visits to these sites, especially with regard to the management of marine resources and the sustainability of marine aquaculture. Discussions held included matters pertaining to lecturer exchange programmes, industrial training student exchanges, signing of understandings, lectures, and high-impact article writing activities as well as the production of high-quality innovative products in the marine and aquaculture fields.

The involvement of UiTM Community in the Sakura Science Exchange Programme support the aspiration of UiTM’s Globally Renowed University (GRU 2025).

https://news.uitm.edu.my/sakura-science-exchange-program-uitm-timba-ilmu-kelestarian-akuakultur-marin-tropika-di-okinawa-jepun/

UiTM Pahang Branch Students Participated in the Baby Turtle Release Event at Cherating Beach

On 13th May 2023, the Pahang State Fisheries Office, in collaboration with the Centre for Science Studies, Faculty of Applied Sciences, successfully held the Pahang Turtle Awareness and Conservation Programme 2023 at the Turtle Conservation and Information Centre (PKPP) Cherating, Kuantan, Pahang. Two biology/biodiversity lecturers and 51 Biodiversity Management students participated in the event. The purpose of this programme was to educate participants about the protection of turtles, which are becoming more endangered in Malaysia and Pahang in particular. It also aimed to instill a love of the environment by encouraging a plastic-free lifestyle, which will help to preserve the ecosystem of the turtle habitat and ensure the turtles’ survival for future generations. The highlight of the event was the release of 1000 baby turtles into the sea at Cherating Beach.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/pelajar-as255-uitm-cawangan-pahang-menyertai-acara-melepaskan-anak-penyu-di-pantai-cherating/