Supporting Aquatic Ecosystem Through Education
Sustainable Fish Harvesting at Chini Lake
UKM in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) has carried out conservation efforts in protecting & conserving the biodiversity of terrestrial fisheries resources. Over the past two years, a total of 96,500 fish seeds have been released into Lake Chini in the period 2021-2022. As a result to this event, UKM has sustainably harvested and provide these catches towards indigenous community near Chini Lake.
Living Labs
UKM living laboratories are among the most prominent features in UKM. They comprise natural habitat from marine, freshwater, highland, and tropical-rain forest. Langkawi Research Center (PPL) is dedicated to enhance socioeconomic status through tourism and conservation at Langkawi Global Geopark. PPL also works in close cooperation with UNESCO.
Another living lab is Chini Lake Research Centre (PPTC) which serves as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the first of its kind in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Other living labs are also keeping the same spirit. Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOMAR) in Mersing, Johor focuses on the marine science field.
1. Langkawi Research Centre (PPL)
Langkawi was endorsed as a UNESCO Global Geopark (LUGG) on the 1st June 2007, the first in Southeast Asia. The concept of LUGG is considered as a new management tool for sustainable regional development.
It bases its concept of “science to action”. It is derived from the conservation of natural heritage, translated into knowledge-based tourism, and integrated into actions that leads to the social wellbeing of the local communities.
2. Chini Lake Research Centre ( PPTC)
Chini Lake Research Center (PPTC) focuses on biotic and abiotic aspects that belong to the diversity of flora and fauna, water, soil, and air. PPTC was established under the auspices of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), specifically to conduct research, teaching, fieldwork, environmental awareness, and dissemination of information on integrated lake management to the community.
3. Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOMAR)
Realizing the significance of marine resources and technology in Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia through the Faculty of Science and Technology has established the Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOMAR) to conduct research related to the marine ecosystem and resources. EKOMAR has been established not only to benefit studies on marine sciences and resources, but also to incorporate studies in the fields of management, social sciences, marine laws and engineering. It also aims to become a significant platform for enhancing knowledge and public awareness on the importance of marine ecosystem and control measures for the conservation of marine ecosystems.
Marine Science @ FST Programme Course
The field of marine science relates to living and non-living resources and physical aspects of the ocean. As a maritime nation, Malaysia emphasises on education and research in marine science. UKM is among the earliest institution that offers marine science study at the undergraduate level. Initially, the programme and research on marine science in UKM only focused on ecology aspects, diversity and marine resources. Now, the programme and research in marine science in UKM have developed and covered almost the entire sub-fields of marine science. Faculty members involved in teaching and research are also experts in biology, ecology and taxonomy of marine invertebrates, biology and ecology of coral reef, physiology, bacterioplankton ecology and diversity, phytoplankton and sea weed, marine biotechnology, marine chemistry, marine geology, marine remote sensing and GIS, physical oceanography as well as marine meteorology and ocean climate.
Society Association
The young generation is the group that will determine the continued environmental sustainability of the country. Almost all of the community leaders were born from institutions of higher learning that will carry the trust of fighting for environmental sustainability. Capacity development among IPT students in the aspect of preserving the environment is an important matter that must be implemented. Conceptual and practical exposure in preserving the environment should start at IPT student either directly through various student programs or included in the curriculum syllabus at universities.
Ekorelawan UKM
The establishment of Ekorelawan UKM started at Kolej Ibu Zain (KIZ) UKM in line with the college’s aspirations to become a sustainable college. This group is growing not only in the college but throughout UKM. Ekorelawan UKM focus on three aspects of the elements in their movement, namely Knowledge, Community Service and Health. Exposure to knowledge about the environment and its ecosystem is very important for Ekorelawan volunteers understanding of the function and role of the environment in our lives. The knowledge gained will be able to be used through a series of volunteering programs with the community in the form of lectures and various other activities to develop the ability to care for the environment. Therefore, all the efforts that have been taken in preserving the environment will be able to create a healthy and prosperous community and environment.
Ekorelawan UKM Programmes
National River Trail Programme
Upland Ecosystem Junior Scientist Exploration Programme
National Water Watch Programme
Supporting Aquatic Ecosystem Through Action
Ocean Hackathon
A team of students and research officers from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has won the Grand Prize of Ocean Hackathon® 2022 competition for their jellyfish tracking mobile application, JellyGo.
The application consists of three components which are: a continuously learning model that predicts jellyfish blooms based on available jellyfish abundance and environmental data; an SOS system that can help provide emergency medical assistance to victims of jellyfish stings; and an educational hub that provides relevant jellyfish information.
UKM’s Marine Ecosystem Center Protect Marine Ecosystems
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Marine Ecosystem Research Center (Ekomar) has organized a program to encourage secondary school students to become aware and more concerned about protecting the country’s marine ecosystem.
The awareness project was carried out last October for 33 students from two secondary schools in Mersing where Ekomar will build its research center from where its scientists and research officers will conduct their research.
Maintaining A Local Ecosystem
Water Catchment Areas
Alur Ilmu
Alur Ilmu is a small stream that flows across the UKM Bangi campus. It is a water drainage system for the UKM campus to drain rainwater from the area around the first campus to Sungai Langat. Alur Ilmu has been built with concrete cement based on natural drainage since the construction of the Bangi campus building complex in the early 70s.
This 1.8km long Alur Ilmu starts from the Ghazali Lake area which is close to the Faculty of Science & Technology building and flows through other buildings such as the Faculty of Economics and Management, the Tun Sri Lanang Library, the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, the university mosque and finally reaches Langat River. Alur Ilmu which is a river that flows along the UKM campus not only functions as a drainage and water source but is also one of the main landscape landmarks of the campus.
Langat River
Langat River is located 50 kilometers from the upstream area of Langat River in Gunung Nuang, a tributary of Bangi River that passes through Alur Ilmu (call for the campus area), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) became the first location to mobilize the Friends of Sungai Langat.
Friends of Langat River was the brainchild of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA), Datuk Seri Zaini Ujang. His expertise in water treatment as well as his concern for the pollution problem that often occurs in Langat River which is the main source of clean water in the Klang Valley made him serious enough to create Friends of Langat River.
The only purpose is to realize the slogan ‘Cintai Sungai Kita’ to instill a sense of shared responsibility towards the river.
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Lake
Engineering Lake was actually converted from a swamp to a man-made lake in 1989. The water flows from the forested hills upstream into the lake and the lake water then flows into the Langat River. The surrounding area has been developed into a recreational park with footpaths, huts and offers sifting activities for students and campus residents. Apart from functioning as a catchment area to slow down the flow to the Langat River, it is also used as a water recreation area. This lake is also used by the Faculty of Education for basic canoeing courses
The estimated area of this Engineering Lake is about 1.8 hectares. The average depth is 1.5 meters. UKM’s Development Management Department (JPP) is responsible for the management of this lake and it is also responsible for monitoring and maintaining the cleanliness of the lake. The overflow water of this lake then flows into the Langat River. Therefore, the quality of the lake’s water should be monitored to ensure that it is safe to use, in addition to providing a panorama that adds to the beauty of the campus.
