CTI-CFF Establishes Constructive Cooperation with UMT Malaysia
CTI-CFF Establishes Constructive Cooperation with UMT Malaysia
Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia – 16 November 2016: The Regional Secretariat of Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) formalizing a constructive cooperation with one of Malaysia’s reputable fisheries and marine universities, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu - in order to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation and exchanges in areas of mutual interest of marine science research through capacity building and human resource development, research and development, collaboration mechanism and development, including information management and networking activities. This collaboration was marked by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing between the Regional Secretariat of CTI-CFF with UMT, today.
In the perspective of CTI-CFF, the signing of the MoU with UMT has a strategic value to enhance not only on marine research, but also on-ground activities to support the advancement of conservation, fisheries, and food security programs across various stakeholders in Malaysia and other five other member states (Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste). This is because the CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat has a central coordination function in the dissemination of information, capacity building and program exchange of best practices to its member states.
Executive Director of CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat, Widi A. Pratikto Ph. D, said: "The MoU between CTI-CFF and UMT is another avenue that we want to establish in creating science-based solutions and new applicable approaches in conservation, fisheries, and food security.”
“Until now, we have initiated some joint-cooperation with Universities in Indonesia i.e. University of Agriculture Bogor (IPB), Institute of 10 November of Surabaya (ITS), University of Hasanuddin (UNHAS), and University of Sam Ratulangi (UNSRAT). Each respective University has a strong characteristic and correlation with big visions of CTI-CFF, “ Widi added.
Furthermore, Widi who is going to receive an award of Doctorate Honoris Causa from the UMT says that the initiation of the joint-cooperation with Universities will not only covering those that are located in CTI-CFF member states, but also some reputable Universities in Australia. It will open the door of Human Resources’ capacity building in advancing the marine and fisheries resources in a sustainably way, which referring to robust science-based approaches. It is also expected that the Universities that involve in such alliance will maximize their existing potential (resource sharing), thus it will lessen the capacity gap in human resources challenges in the Coral Triangle region. At the end, the harmony of marine and fisheries management in the CTI region could be achieved.
Adding to Widi’s statement, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nor Aieni Mokhtar, Vice Chancellor of UMT uttered: “UMT is expecting to be part of science-based solution provider in addressing the challenges in the marine and fisheries issue across CT6 member states.”
The cooperation program as outlined in the MoU and guided by the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) of CTI-CFF will last up to 5 (five) years. During the agreement period, it is expected that all programs will benefit all the CT6 member states.
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