MALAYSIA: MOSTI COLLABORATES WITH GUAM IN MARINE SCIENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (BERNAMA) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and
Innovation has forged collaboration with a marine science centre in Guam which
will assist both countries in their marine and coral reef resources
preservation efforts.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili said
that Malaysia, which became one of the six member countries of the Coral
Triangle Initiative for Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) in
May, would benefit tremendously from the collaboration with the University of
Guam’s Marine Laboratory which was established in 1970.

Dr Ongkili and several ministry officials are in Guam for the launch of the
RazakSAT, which is set for July 14.

During a visit to the Marine Laboratory Monday, Dr Ongkili and his ministry
officials were briefed on the various programmes being undertaken by the centre,
including its research and development on coral and algae.

Many of the programmes being undertaken by the Marine Laboratory have
produced rewards for Guam in its efforts to conserve its marine resources and
Malaysia will benefit tremendously from this collaboration, said Dr Ongkili in a
statement from Guam and e-mailed to Bernama here.


"There is some existing co-operation in terms of joint research between
our marine scientists. But now we are consolidating and formalising this
collaboration between the Marine Laboratory and the ministry’s National
Oceanography Directorate.

“The collaboration will involve joint research projects, exchange of
researchers and sharing of laboratory facilities. The ministry is also
considering sending Malaysian scholars to the University of Guam for their
post-graduate studies in marine science,” he added.

Guam is rich in diverse marine habitats and most of its marine life relies
on the health of its corals and coral reefs. Although its region is not within
the scientific map of the CTI, Guam has initiated its own marine resource
conservation programmes.

-- BERNAMA