Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor R&I UMT

22/09/2026

22/09/2026

22/09/2026

22/09/2026

Their work has strengthened knowledge, protected lives and the environment, advanced scientific innovation, and raised Malaysia’s name on the world stage.

Meet the recipients of the 2026 Merdeka Award:
-Outstanding Contribution to Education & Community - MERCY Malaysia
-Outstanding Contribution to Environment & Planetary Health - Professor Dr Chan Eng Heng
-Outstanding Contribution to Humanities, Arts & Sports - Datuk Nicol Ann David
-Outstanding Contribution to Science, Technology & Innovation (Joint Recipients) -Academician Emeritus Professor Datin Paduka Setia Dato' Dr Aini Ideris and Academician Professor Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail
-Outstanding Scholastic & Academic Achievement - Emeritus Professor Dato' Dr Hajah Asmah Haji Omar
-Anugerah Khas Merdeka - Academician Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr Omar Abdul Rahman
-Anugerah Harapan Merdeka - Mr Cheah Liek Hou

Each represents a remarkable story of commitment and lasting impact.

Join us in celebrating their achievements and follow our page as we share more about the journeys and contributions behind this year’s recognition.

22/09/2026

In 1998, the SEATRU volunteer programme at Chagar Hutang started small, with just 41 volunteers.

Nearly three decades later, a total of 6,528 people have participated in the programme.

They came from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. They stayed at the field station, walked the beach at night, assisted with research, learned about sea turtles, and carried the story of conservation back home with them.

But let us look at this number from another perspective.

1️⃣ If each participant contributed an average of RM500 to conservation funds, then 6,528 participants would represent approximately RM3.26 million in direct support for conservation.

2️⃣ If each participant also spent at least RM500 during their journey to Redang on transport, food, accommodation and other related expenses, that would mean another RM3.26 million circulating through the local economy.

Combined, that represents approximately RM6.53 million in value created.

Of course, this is only an illustrative estimate, not an audited figure. But it helps us appreciate something that is often overlooked: CONSERVATION CAN CREATE VALUE!

And we have not even begun to put a value on the time they gave, the energy they contributed, the knowledge they gained, the friendships they built, the research they supported, and the thousands of sea turtle stories they carried home with them.

We at SEATRU would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this journey.

Thank you for being part of nearly three decades of conservation at Chagar Hutang.

22/09/2026

Selepas 9 tahun menyepi, penyu belimbing kembali ke Terengganu, dua...

22/09/2026

UMT menyifatkan penganugerahan Merdeka Award 2026 kepada Dr. Chan Eng Heng Outstanding Contribution to Environment and Planetary Health