If you are searching for the cream of the crop of the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sciences personalities, look no further than Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). UMT hosts an abundance of pioneers, specialists, scientists and other key talents in this field which is a major and important component towards safeguarding marine life for a maritime nation such as Malaysia. UMT’s nucleus of talent is much sought after by other varsities, academia, commercial entities, marine industries and international organisations. UMT’s deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Prof Anuar Hassan said that unlike most alumni that traditionally caters for social gatherings, UMT’s fisheries and aquaculture sciences alumni holds special significance. This alumni is a platform and a database of the brains of the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sciences, catering for research and development for academia, entrepreneurs and industry players. In short, the alumni members are the foremost experts in the country, said Anuar at the inaugural Back to Roots’ reunion dinner for 250 members at UMT in Gong Badak. The alumni has given the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sciences academia and industry a major boost as it comprises the pioneer batch of graduates in 1979 till the year 2007. Anuar said the reunion was historic as it provided an impetus to chart the future of the country’s fisheries and aquaculture industry to greater heights. He said UMT was one of the country’s leading institutions of higher learning that produced the nucleus of professors and scientists for the fisheries and aquaculture sciences industry. In fact, the fisheries and aquaculture faculty at UMT was a signature programme with its own niche market when it began in 1976. The fisheries and aquaculture sciencies programme is very close to the hearts of those in the industry, especially entrepreneurs, said Anuar. UMT’s fisheries and aquaculture sciences faculty initially branched out from Universiti Putra (then Pertanian) Malaysia (UPM), then UPM Terengganu, and thereafter Kolej Universiti Terengganu, Kolej Universiti Science Teknoloji Malaysia until the formation of UMT as a leading marine research and education centre. Anuar urged the alumni, many of whom had moved on to senior positions in the academia, civil service and commercial sectors to return to UMT to impart their knowledge for the benefit of undergraduates. You can use your smarts, intelligence, knowledge and experience to give career talks on job opportunities in the open market, tips and motivations on the latest developments in the marine industry. All these can help establish stock enhancement towards conservation and sustainable inspiration, said Anuar. At the reunion, the alumni honoured UMT’s Institute of Tropical Aquacutlure director Prof Azmi Ambak for his contributions in fish biology and ecology. Meanwhile, in her message, UMT vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Nor Aieni Mokhtar said there was a need to disseminate and share knowledge and experience in a synergistic manner, as the world is moving at a rapid and competitive pace. Universities and research institutions must play a significant role in propelling activities and innovations to greater heights. Fisheries has become increasingly important with emerging issues in fish health and disease, microbiology, oceanography, post-harvest, seafood safety, engineering and resources. New discoveries, innovations and inventions are encouraging scientists for radical changes towards a sustainable future in fisheries and aquaculture, she said. UMT’s School of fisheries and aquaculture sciences dean Prof Mazlan Abdul Ghaffar said the alumni plays a relevant role in highlighting the history, activities, innovation, opportunities and information for academicians and students. With the alumni, we can share the status of acqua-farming, the success stories of businesses and advanced technologies used to increase production. The alumni can provide consistent, high-quality and appropriate advice, monitoring, mentoring, nurturing and coaching for quality education and excellence so that we can remain competitive and resilient, said Mazlan.
2014. New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad