UMT woman scientist leads scientific sailing expedition at Lima 2019

KUALA NERUS: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu ( UMT) continues to recognise the role of woman scientists by having its lecturer, Dr Roswati Md Amin, from the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, lead the university’s Scientific Expedition for the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition ( Lima 2019).

Roswati, who is chairman of the university’s marine biology programme, will lead the expedition using UMT’s research vessel, RV Discovery, and sail around Peninsular Malaysia for 20 days together with 25 field and laboratory scientists, including five women.

In an exclusive interview with Bernama, she said they will set sail on March 13 and pass through more than 45 research locations along the way. Their research is on marine science and climate change in Malaysia.

“The focus of our research 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.

“We will take samples to study whether the marine life there, like the phytoplankton and zooplankton, are polluted or not because pollution has impact on the society,” she said.

She said Pulau Perak was chosen as the main location for the study based on the physical structure of the island which is formed from hundreds of millions of years of metamorphic rocks and steep cliffs of more than 100 metres high where researchers could see the coral reefs of up to 40 metres to the sea bed because of the clear water.

Roswati said it will be a challenge and an honour for her to lead her first expedition, which will give recognition to women for their involvement in research work, especially towards ocean-based livelihoods and conservation efforts. Despite being five-months pregnant, Roswati said she would shoulder the responsibility to her utmost best.

“To be out in the sea with the uncertain weather, that’s the biggest obstacle.

I’m positive that with the assistance and cooperation from the research team and crew , we can get the mission done, InsyaAllah. My hope is that the research will give an impact and open the society’s eyes on the importance of the marine ecosystem in human life,” she added.

Meanwhile, the secretariat for the expedition, Dr Hasrizal Shaari said the expedition in Lima would be the second by UMT, with the first in 2015.

“During the expedition, RV Discovery will make a stop at Gelang Patah, Johor, where we will organise a project with schools in Johor Baharu to promote UMT as the lead university in marine science in the country and the only university with the research vessel.

“We will also launch UMT’s 3U1I programme, which involves collaboration between the university and the industry players in an effort to enhance the employability and marketability of our graduates. The study programme involves three years at the university and one year with the industry,” he added.

The Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin is scheduled to flag- off RV Discovery for the expedition at Duyung Marina, Kuala Nerus, on March 13. — Bernama