Latest news with #UKM
Barnama
14 hours ago
- Science
- Barnama
UKM Hosts INSO 2025, Reflecting Malaysia's Commitment To Nuclear Education
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor (third, right) with participants at the Opening Ceremony of Second International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) 2025 at Permata@Pintar Auditorium, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) today. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal poses a photo after the Opening Ceremony of Second International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) 2025 at Permata@Pintar Auditorium, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) today. Also present is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), UKM, Prof Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED BANGI, July 31 (Bernama) -- The second International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) 2025, which kicked off yesterday at PERMATA@Pintar, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), demonstrates Malaysia's commitment to advancing nuclear education and nurturing young talent. The eight-day event, hosted by UKM in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), brings together students from various countries to compete and collaborate in the field of nuclear science. UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and International Affairs Prof Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor said INSO 2025 was not merely a competition but also a platform for unity, where diverse minds converge to address humanity's greatest challenges. 'As a leading research university, UKM takes pride in its contributions to nuclear science through cutting-edge research under its nuclear science programme, as well as strategic partnerships with the IAEA, the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), and ASEAN networks,' he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of INSO 2025 here today. Also present were Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal and UKM Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships) Prof Dr Faizal Mohamed. The event brought together around 80 delegates, including 55 students from 14 countries – among them Japan, the Philippines, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Singapore – to celebrate scientific excellence and foster cross-cultural collaboration. This year's theme, 'Fueling Ambition, Celebrating Excellence', underscores Malaysia's commitment to nurturing global scientific talent and promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Meanwhile, Mohammad Yusof said nuclear science in Malaysia had played a vital role in supporting national development goals. 'These include medical imaging and cancer treatment through nuclear medicine, as well as ensuring food safety through irradiation technology.
Malay Mail
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
New haze forecasting system in the works as DOE steps up monitoring, enforcement
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The Department of Environment (DOE) is developing a detailed haze forecasting system in collaboration with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), with pilot testing expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Nor Aziah Jaafar, director of the DOE's Air Division, said the new system aims to predict haze events earlier and more accurately by combining satellite data with meteorological information to identify high-risk areas. 'Although it's still a pilot project, we aim to see its results by next year. We will assess the system in more detail, possibly through various simulations, and if proven reliable, especially in forecasting patterns, we can use it in the future,' she said during a media dialogue session here today. Nor Aziah explained that the system would analyse factors like air movement, heat levels, and weather patterns to anticipate fires in peatland areas, particularly during hot and dry seasons. Current Monitoring and Enforcement Efforts She also added that local monitoring data is also integrated with information from international bodies such as the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Currently, she said the DoE monitors the country's air quality through 68 automated monitoring stations operating 24 hours a day, and provides real-time Air Pollutant Index (API) readings via the Environmental Data Centre (EDC). 'Legal enforcement has also been intensified, with warning notices, compounds and legal action taken against individuals and companies involved in illegal burning. 'Enforcement efforts are conducted in collaboration with 13 other agencies to ensure faster and more coordinated action on the ground,' she said. She explained that the joint approach improves operational efficiency and allows immediate action to be taken before haze conditions worsen. As of yesterday, the department had carried out 4,247 ground patrols and 859 drone flights across the country as part of its active monitoring efforts. She said various awareness campaigns have also been launched, including the 'No Open Burning' initiative and sustainable community programmes involving local residents.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
RM6.2mil JPJ summonses settled
Team-building: JPJ personnel taking part in activities at the 2025 JPJ Family Day event at UKM's sports centre. — Bernama Over 34,000 outstanding summonses were paid BANGI: Twenty-eight companies listed by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) as having the highest number of outstanding summonses have settled 34,371 summonses worth RM6.2mil, says director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli. The companies, 11 commercial goods companies and 17 bus operators, had reached out to the department after Transport Minister Anthony Loke gave them a two-week grace period beginning June 25 to settle their outstanding summonses, he added. 'So for the JPJ, we assist by issuing the latest records and how to settle them immediately. We do see all companies wishing to settle their outstanding issues,' he told reporters at the 2025 JPJ Family Day event at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia sports centre yesterday. He said there were some others that have yet to settle their summonses but added that the department would give them a grace period of a month starting from July 9 for them to do so. 'If it remains unsettled, the JPJ will blacklist the vehicles under the companies. There are those that we have already blacklisted as they did not respond to us,' he said, Bernama reported. He also said that commercial goods companies and bus operators were eligible for the RM150 compound rate that applies to all vehicles issued with Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) summonses.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Science
- New Straits Times
Malaysia hotter by 1.2°C since 1969, could soar further by 2050
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's average surface temperature has risen by 0.6°C to 1.2°C over the past 40 years (from 1969 to 2009). The country is now grappling with a full-blown climate crisis that is becoming increasingly unpredictable — a result of global warming. Scorching heat, sudden heavy downpours, recurring flash floods and thunderstorms regardless of season are no longer isolated events. Projections suggest that if no strong mitigation steps are taken, the rise could reach 1.5°C to 2.0°C by 2050. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Institute of Climate Change senior lecturer Dr Ricky Anak Kemarau said the main cause of global warming is greenhouse gases (GHG). These gases — such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) — are the primary contributors to global warming as they trap heat in the atmosphere through the greenhouse effect. "Carbon dioxide, for example, can remain in the atmosphere for 100 to 1,000 years depending on its cycle. "Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 10- to 12-year period, while chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) last over 100 years and also damage the ozone layer," he said. Ricky added that these gases absorb solar radiation and trap it in Earth's atmosphere, gradually raising global temperatures. "The sharp rise in GHG levels is caused by fossil fuel combustion for energy generation (coal alone accounts for 30–40 per cent of global CO₂ emissions). "It is also driven by industrial and transport activities, as well as deforestation, which not only releases stored carbon but also destroys natural carbon sinks. "Today, carbon dioxide levels have exceeded 420 parts per million (ppm) — the highest in human history and far above the stable pre-Industrial Revolution level of 280 ppm," he told Harian Metro. "Our responsibility goes beyond just reducing emissions. We must also strengthen the nation's defences against future climate risks. "If the world succeeded in saving the ozone layer through the Montreal Protocol, we can also mitigate the climate crisis — but only if all parties act collectively," he said. Ricky noted that this phenomenon is not limited to Malaysia. Other Asian countries are also experiencing more frequent natural disasters due to changing global temperatures. He said the key factor remains greenhouse gases — largely the result of human activities. This is no longer just theoretical; science can now "detect the human fingerprint" in almost every extreme weather event across the globe, including in Malaysia. Extreme weather clearly linked to human activity He said recent studies — particularly in reputable journals like Nature Climate Change and global reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — indicate that over 80 per cent of extreme weather events in the past two decades are directly linked to human activity. "We are witnessing the real consequences of seemingly ordinary activities — burning fossil fuels, clearing forests, and uncontrolled land use change due to development. "The combination of these actions is heating up the planet, and this warming is fuelling extreme weather," he said. One of the most noticeable impacts is the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, especially in urban areas. "It's not just global climate, but also how humans build cities without green breathing spaces. "This leads to the urban heat island effect, which intensifies heat to levels that can cause death from heat stroke, heart failure and damage to infrastructure," he said. He explained that a warmer atmosphere holds more water vapour, which, when released, results in heavier rainfall than usual. "This explains the rising trend in rainfall. Unfortunately, urban infrastructure is not designed to handle such volumes of water, which leads to recurring flash floods," he said.
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Dewan Rakyat approves Auditor-General's Report 2/2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today approved the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 on the Activities of Ministries/Departments/Statutory Bodies/Federal Government Companies, which contains matters raised from audits on five programmes, activities, and projects across seven ministries. The motion on it, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by 32 Members of Parliament. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, when winding up debate for the department, clarified that the Auditor-General may be appointed from among public service officers. 'For the information of Honourable Members, Clause 1 of Article 105 of the Federal Constitution provides that the Auditor-General shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. 'Referring to Article 105 read together with subparagraph 1(1) of the First Schedule to the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62), the Auditor-General may be appointed from among members of the public service, and such appointment is valid,' he said. Kulasegaran was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who had questioned the appointment of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi as Auditor-General while she was still serving in the civil service. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, during his winding-up speech for his ministry, said continuous improvements were being undertaken following LKAN's investigation into procurement management at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He said that since February 28, several measures have been taken to align with the Higher Education Strategic Direction 2025, including encouraging the Internal Audit Committee to take follow-up action after discovering that several procurement circulars previously used were outdated. 'For example, UKM was still referring to Treasury Procurement Circular 2.0 when it had already been updated to version 2.2. The Pre-Tender and Coordination Committees have also been dissolved, effectively ending their functions,' he said. Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, while responding on behalf of her ministry, said it had taken note of LKAN 2/2025's criticisms concerning FELCRA Berhad's oil palm estate performance. She explained that plantation yields could only be seen progressively, with three out of four estates having shown increased output and profits, including Estet Telupid in Sabah, and Sungai Rawit 2 and Aring estates in Kelantan. 'However, the current performance of one estate, Estet Dabong, has yet to reach the targeted level. This must be understood in light of unexpected factors, such as a shortage of skilled plantation workers and extreme weather affecting harvesting operations. 'Nevertheless, FELCRA has taken proactive measures, including increasing the number of harvesters and progressively repairing agricultural roads. Recovery efforts are expected to yield more positive results moving forward,' she said. During the winding-up session for the Ministry of Works, its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the contractor selection process for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Sabah Highway Project was carried out through a selective pre-qualification open tender. He said this approach was vital to ensure that only companies with proven technical, financial, and experience capacity were awarded the large-scale, high-impact project. Nanta also acknowledged other challenges, including delays in land acquisition, utility relocation, and shortages of labour and construction materials, which had impacted project timelines. However, he said the ministry had taken improvement measures through engagements with relevant agencies. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, during the winding-up for his ministry, said that all comments and criticisms, including on procurement management, would be taken into account. The Dewan sits again today. - Bernama
