VENUE

The workshop will be held at the Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), an educational and research centre located at Teluk Aling on the northwest coast of Penang Island in the Penang National Park, Malaysia. Facilities include a teaching laboratory, wet laboratory, hatcheries for breeding of fish and other marine organisms, laboratories for phytoplankton, microbiology, and media preparation. Most of the laboratories are supplied with high quality sea water, compressed air, standard laboratory equipment as well as computer facilities. CEMACS also has an extensive Marine Reference Collection and Museum with specimens comprising of mollusks, gorgonians, corals, echinoderms, fishes, crustaceans and an herbarium collection of flora and fauna from around the region. 

About CEMACS

CEMACS was established in August 1991 to undertake research and postgraduate training in Marine Science and Coastal Ecosystems. It provides the institutional mechanism for mobilising and integrating the University’s considerable expertise and resources in marine science. The main objective of CEMACS is to enhance the capability of conducting integrated inter-and multi-disciplinary studies leading towards solving problems related to marine and coastal ecosystems.

CEMACS is located at Teluk Aling on the northwest coast of Penang Island in the Penang National Park. The centre is served by a number of core academics working in collaboration with research associates identified from other teaching schools as well as from outside the University. The centre’s international associates include those from Canada, Australia, USA, UK, Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Iran, Australia, China, Singapore, Vietnam and Denmark. Associates of CEMACS are provided with direct access to the Centre’s considerable research and training facilities. Presently, research and training conducted at the centre is focused on biodiversity and conservation of marine ecosystems, coastal forest ecosystems, mariculture and marine mammal ecology (dugong and dolphin).

Please visit the CEMACS website for additional information. 

About Penang Island

Penang, an island state off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, is a captivating destination known for its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant culinary scene. The island's multicultural identity, shaped by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan influences, is evident in its festivals, architecture, and daily life. In George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, colonial-era buildings stand alongside colorful street art and bustling food markets. Penang’s Peranakan heritage, a unique blend of Chinese and Malay traditions, is celebrated through distinctive customs, attire, and crafts like batik and beadwork.

Penang is also home to the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO for its diverse ecosystems that span rainforests, marine areas, and Penang National Park. This reserve is a haven for rare wildlife, such as the Sunda colugo, and reflects a commitment to conservation, balancing protection efforts with sustainable tourism and community engagement. Together with its renowned street food—dishes like char kway teow, laksa, and nasi kandar—and beautiful beaches, Penang offers a unique blend of cultural richness and natural splendor.