Didn’t think a university could study dolphins? The Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies does exactly that. This center is often called CEMACS. It is a fascinating place within Universiti Sains Malaysia. CEMACS focuses on marine research. It offers postgraduate training too.
CEMACS enhances marine science capabilities. It solves problems related to marine ecosystems. CEMACS integrates university expertise and resources.
CEMACS was established in August 1991. It is located in Penang National Park. Specifically, it’s at Teluk Aling. This location is on Penang Island’s northwest coast.
Core academics serve at the center. They collaborate with research associates. These associates come from various places. Some are from other university schools. Others are from outside the university. CEMACS has international connections. Associates come from Canada and Australia. The USA and UK are represented too. Japan and Cambodia are involved. Researchers from Indonesia and India participate. Iran, China, Singapore, Vietnam, and Denmark also contribute. These associates access CEMACS’s research facilities. They also use its training resources.
Research at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies focuses on several key areas. These include biodiversity. Conservation of marine ecosystems is a priority. CEMACS studies coastal forest ecosystems. Mariculture is another research area. The center even studies marine mammal ecology. Specifically, they research dugongs and dolphins.
Universiti Sains Malaysia is a public research university. It was founded on June 1, 1969. It is the second oldest university in Malaysia. The oldest in northern Malaysia. The main campus is on Penang Island. There are other campuses too. These are in Kelantan and Nibong Tebal. An Advanced Medical and Dental Institute exists in Kepala Batas. There is also a campus in Kuala Lumpur. Finally, there is an international campus in Belgaum, India.
Universiti Sains Malaysia is an APEX university. This means it has accelerated programs. The university uses English as its instruction medium.
The idea for a university in Penang started in 1959. D.S. Ramanathan proposed it. He chaired the Penang University Project committee. The foundation stone was laid in 1967. Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman did the honors.
In 1968, a committee drafted the university’s constitution. Mohamed Suffian led this committee. The committee recommended autonomy. It supported academic freedom.
The university began in borrowed premises. This was at the Malayan Teachers’ Training College. It started with only 57 science students. There were three schools initially. These were Biological Sciences. Chemical Sciences was another. Physics and Mathematics completed the set.
In 1971, the university moved to its current site. The site is 239 hectares. It is located at Minden in Gelugor. This is 10 kilometers from Georgetown.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies demonstrates USM’s commitment. This commitment is to marine research. It contributes significantly to understanding coastal ecosystems. The center’s work aids marine conservation. It helps protect marine life for future generations.