Latest news with #USM
The Star
4 days ago
- Science
- The Star
King presents BYDPA scholarship
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, presented the 2025 Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship (BYDPA) to 13 students from institutions of higher learning at Istana Negara. Ten recipients were awarded scholarships for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies and three received scholarships for Master's (research) programmes yesterday. Mohamad Fariz Haiqal Mohd Ruslan, who is pursuing a doctorate study in Pharmacology and Pharmacy at King's College London, United Kingdom and Karen Low Ka Ling from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) received PhD scholarships. Other PhD scholarship recipients were Muhammad Hamizan Zawawi (Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)), Muhamad Aiman Hakim Nor Khalid (Mathematics and Statistics, UKM), Sarah Dania Mohd Kahar (Commercial Law, Universiti Malaya (UM)), Teoh Shu Jou (Data Management, UM), Ahmad Firdaus Ahmad Sukri (Biotechnology, USM), Nurul Angelyn Zulhairy Liong (Genetics and Heredity, UM), Nur Zakirah Jasni (Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Australia) and Nurfatima Azzahra Fadli (Biochemistry, UKM). BYDPA recipients pursuing studies at the Master's level are Fatini Nadiah Mohammad Zamzami (Biochemistry, UKM), Tiew Siew Jin (Biotechnology, UPM) and Yugashini P. Muhilan (Biomedical Materials, UKM). The BYDPA is a prestigious national scholarship, introduced in 2006, to sponsor Malaysian citizens who excel academically and are actively involved in co-curricular activities. To date, 20 scholarship cycles have been offered, benefiting 225 recipients – 117 at the PhD level and 108 at the Master's level. They received funding to pursue studies in fields such as Economics, Law, Science and Technology, Islamic Finance and Artificial Intelligence. Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the department will conduct an impact study on the scholarship. 'We feel it is necessary to review the current needs in terms of the approach and the fields of study granted to future students,' he said, Bernama reported. Wan Ahmad Dahlan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty for gracing the 2025 BYDPA presentation ceremony. Meanwhile, Low, who serves as a pharmacist at Melaka Hospital, extended her utmost gratitude to the King for the scholarship, adding that she is determined to complete her studies and serve the country. 'We hope to complete our PhD and Master's studies and contribute to our country, Malaysia,' Mohamad Fariz Haiqal added.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Penang plots climate of change with action plan
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island Climate Action Plan 2030 was handed over to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) today. The plan focuses on climate mitigation and adaptation measures. This plan provides a framework for the council to implement climate mitigation and adaptation actions. It aims to transform Penang into a low-carbon city by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan focuses on five themes: GREEN transportation and pedestrian prioritisation; PLANNING and managing green spaces; DEVELOPING resilient communities, and, DISASTER risk reduction and management. The document is supported by primary and secondary data, as well as international modelling tools such as the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model, which is recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This makes it a science-based and internationally credible reference. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Ir Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the document is not merely a technical report. Rather, it the result of collaboration between researchers from USM, MBPP, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, under the Urban Studies Chair, School of Social Sciences. "This collaboration represents our commitment to building a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and livable future for Penang. "As Malaysia's APEX university, USM plays a role not only in producing knowledge and technology but also in leading sustainable development initiatives that are evidence- and science-based. "Therefore, the Science to Action approach used in the development of this Climate Action Plan aligns with national aspirations and global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030) and the Paris Agreement. He said this at the handover ceremony. Mayor Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony, who received the doucment, said the council was more than just a city management entity. He said it was an institution that supported holistic, balanced and livable development. "The plan is not just a policy document but a manifestation of a shared commitment to make Penang a carbon-free state by 2050. "It outlines steps to address climate change challenges in a more systematic and holistic way. "MBPP's role in climate action in Penang is critical. "In the context of sustainable urban development, resource management, spatial planning and policy enforcement are key elements. "With the launch of this plan, the council's role in sustainable urban development will be boosted.
The Star
7 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Working to clean up the bottom of the ocean
KOTA KINABALU: Pitch black, cold, silent. The bottom of the ocean, where sunlight does not reach, where weird and unusual sea creatures dwell is now home to something else - trash from above, forcing both dead and living things to co-exist. There are metals, scraps, plastics, and many other rubbish that are discarded from land, which along the way become accidental food that eventually kills marine creatures. Degradation of this rubbish takes up to hundreds of years, but still, they can turn into micro-plastics and micro-metals that end up in our bodies when we consume water and eat, revealed Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan, director for the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies. She said people only see what is above the sea, and seldom take notice of what happens underwater, but there is life beyond those cold, dark, ocean floors and it is quickly becoming landfills, threatening not only marine creatures but also humans. On the other hand, from the deep end, going further up, thousands of sea creatures thrive. Dr Abe Woo, a marine researcher with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), said some are alien-looking, like a type of sea cucumber scientifically known as Scotoplanes or called sea pigs, and some are parasitic, like the Simenchelys parasitica. He said this during an exhibition on deep-sea creatures launched at the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC), Gaya Island here, Tuesday (July 15). The scientist, who is also attached to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs), said studies and education on marine biology, the impact of environmental neglect, as well as the importance of conservation, were vital in maintaining a healthy ocean ecosystem. Woo said this part of the world - the Bornean islands within the Sulu Sea, Sulawesi Sea, Java Sea, Flores Sea and Makassar straits, among others - is the centre of maximum marine biodiversity in the world. 'So if we do not protect this part of the world where it is known to have three times the marine diversity compared to other seas, then we are looking at destruction,' he said, adding that with 70% of the earth covered in water, it would spell disaster for the world. He said this exhibition, which runs until September this year, would showcase 13 deep-sea specimens, offering visitors a rare glimpse into life in the ocean's depths. This exhibition will focus on advancing research related to the Biodiversity of Marine Benthic Invertebrates, with a strong emphasis on conservation efforts. It is a collaborative initiative by Merc, Cemacs, USM and the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) in partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia and the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science in the Conservation Initiative. Key activities will include surveying, sampling, and identifying diverse marine invertebrates found in the waters surrounding Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sepanggar. This project will be headed by Prof. Dr. Toshihiko Fujita, Head of the Department of Zoology at the Japanese National Museum of Nature and Science, as well as Prof Tan. In his opening remarks, Prof Toshihiko said this exhibition is not just to display the rare and wondrous deep-sea specimens, but a collective responsibility to protect the ocean. He said these creatures were retrieved from depths of over 2,000m around Japanese waters. 'Visitors will discover not just the beauty of the unknown, but also the challenges of life under immense pressure, cold, and darkness, and the remarkable technologies that allow us to explore these mysteries,' he said.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Education, skills programmes rolled out for armed forces families
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry, through Yayasan Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (Yayasan LTAT), has introduced five educational initiatives to boost learning, skills development and welfare for the children and families of the armed forces. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said these initiatives were introduced to ensure the well-being of armed forces personnel, focusing not only on assets but also on education and skills for their families. "The first initiative is the e-Perkasa Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2025 Programme, a collaboration between Yayasan LTAT and Sultan Idris Education University, involving 652 students who are children of armed forces personnel attending schools outside military camps. "Through this programme, each selected student has been provided with a device for free, sponsored by BHIC AeroServices Sdn Bhd, Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Armed Forces Trading Corporation," he said at the launch of Yayasan LTAT's 2025 Educational Initiatives. Khaled said the second initiative is the SPM Elite Touch Programme, which involves 658 selected students from six in-camp schools. The students will benefit from activities such as tuition classes, answering technique workshops and career guidance programmes. "The third initiative is the Armed Forces Family Skills Programme, which extends education and skills development to the tertiary level for armed forces personnel, including members of the Armed Forces Family Welfare Association and their children. The programme offers 22 short courses, including culinary arts and make-up. "Those pursuing studies in Mara institutions in the field of technical and vocational education and training or equivalent will receive tuition sponsorship of up to RM3,000 per person. This is a collaboration between Yayasan LTAT and the Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges Department, with funding support from Pharmaniaga Bhd as the main sponsor," he said. The fourth initiative, Khaled said, is the Madani Education Savings Programme, a collaboration between Yayasan LTAT and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation. "Through this programme, 3,775 Year One pupils, who are children of active military personnel, received a one-off contribution of RM50 each in the form of an SSPN Prime savings account, amounting to a total contribution of RM188,750," he said. The fifth initiative is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme, where Yayasan LTAT has formed a strategic partnership with Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). "TalentCorp will help boost awareness about the importance of STEM and provide career guidance, while USM will develop STEM learning modules and act as a coordinator with public universities to implement this programme in in-camp schools." Khaled witnessed the presentation of corporate social responsibility contributions amounting to RM3.2 million from Affin Bank Bhd, BHPetrol and Kemalak Group Sdn Bhd to strengthen the future of the defence generation. Present were Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, LTAT chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin, army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and Yayasan LTAT chief executive Datuk Dr Mohd Nizar Sudin. ends
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
USM steps up support for students amid SST-driven cost hike
GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has introduced a series of proactive measures to help cushion the impact of the recent Sales and Service Tax (SST) increase, particularly for students from the B40 income group. Among the key initiatives is the expansion of the Menu Rahmah programme to all residential college cafeterias, offering nutritious meals at affordable prices to ease students' financial burdens. USM vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Ir Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the university remained committed to safeguarding student welfare amid rising economic pressures. "This initiative is expected to provide some relief, especially for underprivileged students," he said in a statement today. A special task force — chaired by Professor Dr Azlan Amran, who is currently discharging the duties of deputy vice-chancellor (student development affairs and alumni) — has been established to develop both short- and long-term strategies to support students affected by the cost-of-living crisis. Students in urgent need of assistance are encouraged to contact the university's Welfare and Special Needs (OKU) Unit under the Division of Student Development Affairs (BHEPA). The university's Zawain USM initiative has also been activated to distribute financial aid via special allocations to students requiring support. "Targeted assistance for B40 students will continue and be strengthened to ensure they are not directly impacted by rising living costs," Abdul Rahman added. The Food Bank @ USM initiative — which provides daily essentials and basic food items — has also been expanded to further assist financially vulnerable students. USM is also actively pursuing external collaborations to enhance these efforts. One example is corporate partner Yusuf Taiyoob Sdn Bhd, which has pledged to donate nasi lemak meals daily to ensure students are not left hungry during their studies. Meanwhile, BHEPA, in collaboration with the Student Representative Council (MPP), is conducting a survey to gauge the impact of inflation on students. The survey focuses on key cost areas such as food, printing, e-hailing fares, and other daily essentials — with the findings to inform more targeted, long-term strategies. Cafeteria operators have been reminded not to raise food prices, as they remain bound by pre-SST contractual agreements. USM is also extending its support to off-campus students (Petas), ensuring they benefit from these measures. In the longer term, the university is reviewing the rental rates of on-campus business premises to avoid burdening vendors and triggering further price hikes. "These efforts reflect USM's continued commitment to prioritising student welfare and ensuring no one is left behind as we navigate the current economic climate," Abdul Rahman said.
