First UIRC Symposium Tropical Karst Landscape: Challenges for Conservation and Sustainable Use Symposium

The University-Industry Research Consortium (UIRC), a partnership between YTL Cement and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), held its first Tropical Karst Landscape: Challenges for Conservation and Sustainable Use Symposium on 23 December 2024.

Established in October 2023, the UIRC brings together five universities—Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak—to advance research on the sustainability of Malaysia's tropical limestone karst landscapes. Over the next five years, the Consortium will award scholarships to 40 Masters and PhD students, to provide the country with a comprehensive understanding of our tropical limestone karst landscapes needed to make informed decisions on its sustainable management.

As the first Consortium of its kind in Malaysia, the UIRC fosters a robust university-industry collaboration, aligning postgraduate research with national priorities while enhancing synergy between academia and industry for mutual benefit.

The symposium celebrated several key achievements, including the announcement of the first six UIRC scholarship recipients, the launch of the UIRC Young Researcher Industrial Grant, and progress updates on ongoing student research projects. Additionally, it served as a platform for knowledge exchange among scholars, experts, and industry leaders, reinforcing the importance of balancing conservation and development.

Keynote Address

Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education delivered the keynote address and marked the symposium as a pivotal milestone and the first programme under the UIRC. She emphasised its goal to advance research on tropical limestone, a vital natural heritage of Malaysia and highlighted its critical role in supporting the environment, industry, and economy.

She encouraged academia and industry to collaborate and generate innovative ideas. She also noted that students excelling in these initiatives could gain valuable skills and experiences, enhancing their employability in limestone-related industries.

UIRC Young Researcher Industrial Grant

The symposium also introduced the UIRC Young Researcher Industrial Grant, offering up to RM30,000 for early-career academics to lead innovative, interdisciplinary projects. The grant bridges academic research and industry needs, driving practical solutions for sustainable practices.

“Limestone karsts are valuable natural resources, essential for human use and civilisation. Through UIRC, we are empowering young researchers to develop innovative solutions that balance progress with environmental stewardship,” said Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ibrahim Komoo, UIRC Director.

He added, “UIRC is a platform that nurtures the next generation, bringing together academic excellence, industry insights, and environmental wisdom to shape policies and innovations that safeguard these ecological wonders.”

Advancing Tropical Karst Research

A highlight of the event was the awarding of six inaugural UIRC scholarships to:
• Siti Noor Syafarehan Mohd Isa (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
• Nurul Azira Mohd Zamziba (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
• The Nesda Rojuin (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)
• Nurul Hazlina Acheh (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
• Shaelza Sacha Shalmon (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)
• Hilda Tee Suiwei (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)

Building a Knowledge Ecosystem

Keynote speakers, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mokhtar Saidin (archaeology), Prof. Dr. Norhayati Ahmad (biodiversity), and Dr. Rapidah Mat Stafa (geoheritage), emphasised informed stewardship and positive action. Presentations by scholars showcased projects ranging from mapping cave systems to quantifying limestone hills’ ecological services.

A panel discussion provided a platform for researchers to engage with experts, refine methodologies, and expand networks. The event reinforced Malaysia’s leadership in tropical karst research and sustainable resource management.

A Sustainable Future

The UIRC is creating a vital platform uniting academia, industry, and policy to drive sustainable development, providing crucial information and data to enable the nation to achieve a good balance between conservation and development for the progress of the country. The support from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) underscores the significance of the University-Industry Research Collaboration (UIRC) in advancing Malaysia’s research and development efforts.