Curtin’s aquaculture research facility in Australia.
MIRI (June 25): Curtin University Malaysia will be hosting its second free public webinar on aquaculture this June 29, in conjunction with the introduction of its new Master of Science in Sustainable Aquaculture coursework degree next month.
According to a press release from the university, the webinar titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities of Aquaculture in Malaysia and Indonesia’ follows an earlier webinar titled ‘Aquaculture in Sarawak: Challenges and Opportunities’ in April, which was attended by over 50 participants from academia, government and industry.
It will be from 9am to 12 noon (UTC/GMT +8) and those interested to join can pre-register at https://bit.ly/AquacultureWebinarRegistration, and follow the live stream at https://bit.ly/AquacultureWebinarWebex on the day.
The panellists this time will comprise Department of Fisheries Malaysia senior fisheries officer Mohd Azrul Mahmod; Indonesia’s Universitas Diponegoro Aquaculture Laboratory coordinator Dr Desrina; and Indonesia’s Agency for Marine and Fisheries Research and Human Resources chairman Prof Sjarief Widjaja.
Mohd Azrul will talk about the current status and development of the aquaculture industry in Malaysia; Dr Desrina on the challenges and opportunities of blood cockle farming in Indonesia; and Sjarief on advances in the Indonesian aquaculture industry.
Moderating the webinar will be programme director for the Master of Science in Sustainable Aquaculture, Dr Tony Hadibarata, and aquaculture lecturer Dr Lee Lih Yin from Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science.
Curtin Malaysia’s pro vice-chancellor and president Prof Simon Leunig remarked that it is good for academics, researchers, government officials and industry practitioners involved in aquaculture in Sarawak to learn more from these experts.
According to him, the main objective of the two webinars is to gather more knowledge and discuss ways to develop a more sophisticated aquaculture industry in Sarawak, including related research and development and manpower training.
He added that a better understanding of the aquaculture industry in the region would be also helpful in ensuring the relevancy of the Master of Science in Sustainable Aquaculture to industry needs.
Leunig said the introduction of the two-year course and the establishment of an aquaculture research facility at Curtin Malaysia is timely in view of the anticipated rapid development of commercial aquaculture in Sarawak in the coming years.
“We see the opportunity to establish ourselves in a number of research areas that are suited for our location and tropical environment in Sarawak. Curtin in Australia has been carrying out aquaculture research for many years and much of that research activity will actually be moved to Sarawak to benefit the aquaculture industry here.
“We are committed to working very closely with the state government and making sure our research is aligned to the state’s development agenda. Our aquaculture facility will be the most significant aquaculture research facility at a tertiary institution in Malaysia in terms of expertise, technology, equipment and research,” he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the course, Dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin Malaysia Prof Tuong-Thuy Vu said it will prepare students for work in a number of fields related to aquaculture.
“They will explore the principles of aquaculture and factors influencing the viability of aquatic animal farming and food production systems. They will also explore the commercial business of sustainable aquaculture, and learn the skills to establish, manage and appraise aquaculture enterprises.
“In addition, they will have opportunities to engage in the aquaculture research being conducted at Curtin Malaysia,” he said.