UTM Antartica Research – Events

Antarctic Research Team UTM paid a visit to Antarctic Research Centre at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand on Sept, 3rd to 7th. The delegate was led by Prof. Dr. Mazlan Hashim, the director of Antarctic Research Team UTM, and together with 5 program leaders from UTM COEs; Prof. Dr. Abd. Hafidz Omar (SITC), Ass. Prof. Dr. Norma Alias (Institute of Ibnu Sina), Dr. Shafinaz Shahir (EnviBio), Dr. Farid Mohamad (Transport) and Dr. Mohd Nadzri Md. Reba (INSTeG). The ideas of this visit are;

• to learn on how the Antarctic research is conducted by visiting the facilities and knowing the current potential research areas in New Zealand Antarctic research’s point of view, and
• to establish scientific collaboration with the Antarctic Research Centre of Victoria University of Wellington in term of mutual communication with experts, staff and student exchange, high impact journal publications, UTM’s post graduate supervision by experts and international grant opportunity.

HISTORY

The formation of UTM Antarctica Research Team is inspired by the UTM Pro Chancellor, Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor who paid a visit to Antarctic with the HH Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in Nov 2011. During his visit, he foreseen that there is a need for UTM to have research on Antarctica as many technological and innovative UTM scientist may discover potential scientific niche. As a start, TNCPI has called up the kick-off meeting and chaired by Prof Dr Mazlan Hashim during the first Antarctica seminar in March 2012. In April 2012, the UTM Antarctica Research Team is finally formed by a group from Institute of Geospatial Science and Technology (INSTeG), Sustainability Research Alliance (SRA), Centre of Innovative Planning and Development (CIPD), Environmental Biotechnology Research Group (EnviBio), Sport Innovation and Technology Center (SITC), Automotive Development Centre (ADC) and Institut Ibnu Sina (ISS).

MINI SYSMPOSIUM AND VISIT TO COLD CHAMBER

New Zealand Antarctic Research has organized a mini symposium on Sept. 5th as a platform to delegate to meet and discuss with experts. The delegate was welcomed by the Director of Antarctic Research Centre, Prof. Tim Naish in his inaugural speech of mini symposium that also held series of technical presentation delivered by

• Prof. Tim Naish (Antarctic Research Centre, VU) on research activities in Antarctic,
• Dr. Andrew Mackintosch (Antarctic Research Centre, VU) on data processing,
• Prof. Graig Carry (University of Waikato) on biological research in Antarctic,
• Prof. Lionel Carter (Antarctic Research Centre, VU) on climate change and ocean studies in Antarctic,
• Dr. Mike Williams (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, NIWA) on climate variability and change in Antarctic, and
• Dr. Rob McKay (Antarctic Research Centre, VU) on geo-marine research program.

New Zealand Antarctic Research Centre has organized an excursion to research facilities at VU Antarctic Research Center and New Zealand Ice Core Research Laboratory.

OUTCOME OF THE VISIT

The visit bears benefits to our delegation as they successfully determined New Zealand’s counterpart who could promote assistance in ideas and experts to initiate Antarctic research for each program. Table 1 summarizes the New Zealand counterpart associates to each program.

• to learn on how the Antarctic research is conducted by visiting the facilities and knowing the current potential research areas in New Zealand Antarctic research’s point of view, and
• to establish scientific collaboration with the Antarctic Research Centre of Victoria University of Wellington in term of mutual communication with experts, staff and student exchange, high impact journal publications, UTM’s post graduate supervision by experts and international grant opportunity.

GALLERY

• 

  In front of VU main entrance.

• 

  Mini-symposium between JARI and UTM.

• 

  UTM delegate with JARI researchers at NZARC.

• 

  Welcome talk by Dr. Nancy, director of New Zealand Ice Core Research Laboratory

• 

  Visit of clean room at New Zealand Ice Core Research Laboratory

• 

  Sample of ice drill in the extreme cold room.

• 

  Photo at New Zealand Ice Core Research Laboratory

• 

  Lunch with JARI researchers.

• 

  Presentation from UTM delegate.