KOTA KINABALU: A Sabahan will be flying the Jalur Gemilang and the Sabah flag in Antarctica as the first Malaysian to conduct climate change winter research there from March 15 this year.
Professor Dr Justin Sentian, a Ranau-born scientist, is the first Malaysian to conduct research in Antarctica but this coming six-month research programme was not his first stint.
The polar atmospheric scientist from the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was there on a three-month summer research programme in 2018.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the ongoing works by Sentian was a proud achievement for Sabah and the nation as a whole.
"It is momentous and I am sure all Sabahans and Malaysians will be proud of Prof Dr Justin Sentian. We wish him every success," he said after handing over the state flag to Sentian at Menara Kinabalu near here Friday (March 10).
Sentian said that his research, titled "Tropospheric Ozone and Halocarbons Variations in the Antarctic Peninsula Under Extreme Weather Conditions", will be based at the Professor Julio Escudero Base Station at King George Island, Antarctica.
"The Antarctic is a good and accurate point to observe climate change, among others. Variations noted there will have a butterfly effect on the rest of the world," said Sentian.
"I am proud to share this amazing opportunity as the first Malaysian scientist to bring our flags to Antarctica," he said.
He hoped this symbolic gesture would motivate other researchers, especially the younger generation in Sabah to continue striving for excellence in all fields, in particular science.
This study in collaboration with the Santiago University, Chile, was partially funded by a three-year research grant from the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation (YPASM) starting 2023.
The research collaboration with Santiago University was to enhance research capacity building, particularly on atmospheric chemistry modelling and academic and scientific research networking at the international level.
YPASM would be conducting a send-off ceremony at the KL International Airport on March 19.
