Local scientists make mark on polar regions

NOMINATIONS are now open for the award of four Antarctic medals.

The National Antarctic Medal, the Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research, the Medal for Young Polar Scientists, and the Medal for Polar Education and Communication will be awarded to deserving and outstanding individuals in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM).

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also YPASM board of trustees chairman, said it is hoped that the awarding of these medals will be a catalyst for local polar scientists to continue supporting efforts to improve scientific excellence and governance in the polar regions which will directly benefit the local and global community, and invigorate the interest of Malaysians to be more vigilant and concerned about current issues involving climate change, which is closely linked to the melting of ice in the polar regions.

“These medals will be presented by the Sultan of Terengganu, who is also YPASM patron, at a ceremony expected to be held in October,” he said in a press release on Feb 16.

He added that after a decade of establishment, YPASM has successfully achieved its objectives and maintained Malaysia’s presence in Antarctica through active involvement in polar sciences and governance of the continent.

“This success is the result of cooperation between YPASM, the Environment and Water Ministry and various parties such as the state government, relevant ministries and agencies, universities, the private sector and local and international organisations,” he said.

YPASM was established by the Malaysian government in 2012 with the objectives of promoting scientific research programmes in the Arctic and Antarctic regions by providing and managing funds through research grants, postgraduate studies and fellowships for research and development in the polar regions for Malaysian scientists, and developing Malaysia’s scientific capabilities and promoting Antarctic science in the education system.

Since its inception, YPASM has sponsored 30 research grants, 12 fellowship schemes and 10 berth support to research stations in Antarctica worth more than RM7mil.

This was achieved through the Smart Partnership Initiative with eight local universities, namely, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and International Medical University.

Areas of research in Antarctica under YPASM’s sponsorship include climate change, atmospheric science, microbiology, ecology, geology and policy.

This has led to Malaysia being accepted as a member of the Scientific Committee of Antarctic Research (SCAR).

Through SCAR, Malaysian researchers have led, and taken part in, scientific working groups such as the Tropical Antarctic Teleconnections (TATE) action group in an effort to understand the study of the relationship of atmospheric science between the polar and tropical regions.

Malaysia is currently the Asian Forum for Polar Sciences (AFoPS) chairman for the term 2021-2022, which aims to promote polar research collaboration among Asian countries.

Terms and conditions, and nomination forms for the four Antarctic medals are available at https://www.ypasm.my/. The closing date for nominations is April 30.