UMT inks MoU with Qatar University to develop first aquaculture research

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is expanding its research collaboration network with Qatar University (UQ) through three projects under the Qatar National Research Fund and the International Research Collaboration Fund worth a total of RM5.7 million.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said UQ had agreed to collaborate with UMT in aquaculture research involving the giant freshwater prawn (udang galah) and sea prawn species using the aquaponics and water recycling systems in desert areas.

She said the first aquaculture research project in Qatar will be headed by UMT’s Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP).

"The aquaculture industry in Qatar is developing rapidly and this research collaboration is expected to help improve food production and food security based on aquatic resources, especially crustaceans such as giant freshwater prawns and sea prawns," she said in a statement today.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two parties was signed by UMT vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar and UQ vice president (Research and Graduate Studies), Mariam Al-Ali Al-Maaded, in Doha, today.

Meanwhile, Mazlan said research in the field could add value to the food production industry there despite the constraints it faces in terms of a suitable environment for livestock rearing, adding that it could also contribute to the efforts in achieving the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 14 (Life below water).

"Malaysia can be a strategic partner in driving Qatar's aquaculture and fishery industry towards a more developed and competitive direction," he said.

-- BERNAMA