USM professor wins Unesco award for contributions to marine science
PETALING JAYA : Aileen Tan, director of Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) marine and coastal studies centre, has been awarded the Anton Bruun Medal by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).
The award is one of Unesco's most prestigious international recognitions for those who have made significant contributions to marine science.
Tan, a professor in USM's school of biological sciences, received the award at Unesco's 33rd Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Assembly yesterday.
Tan has been considered a pioneer in marine conservation and green aquaculture and was most notably the first Malaysian to successfully culture oysters via artificial spawning.
Her project generated sustainable income for fishermen in Kedah and provided an alternative livelihood for coastal communities.
She was the first female president of the Unitas Malacologica, serving from 2013 to 2016 as the head of the global society for malacologists, or scientists who study mollusks.
During the IOC assembly, Tan delivered the Anton Bruun Memorial Lecture in conjunction with receiving the award, touching on how to empower coastal communities through science and policy integration, specifically through 'ocean solutions'.
'Science connects people. People connect to nature,' she said, adding that science needed to serve humanity and not just the scientific community.
Tan also called for greater collaboration across the different segments of society to provide people-centric, inclusive and actionable solutions to various challenges faced by humanity.
Tan has long championed causes for eco-entrepreneurship and marine health throughout her career.
She served as part of the international steering committee of several organisations, such as CoastPredict, Global Ocean Oxygen Network and The Ocean Science Fund for All, among others.
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