By: Rohisyamuddin Othman, Solihah Ahmad, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ikhwanuddin Abdullah

The Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), has further strengthened strategic ties between the academic and industrial sectors when it and four aquaculture companies exchanged research agreement documents recently in a symbolic ceremony.

The event witnessed the exchange taking place between AKUATROP and Balavat Bayu Sdn. Bhd., Entomal Biotech Sdn. Bhd., Deepblue Aquaculture Sdn. Bhd., and Serandu Aquaponic System Sdn. Bhd. All research projects involved will be funded under the Industry Matching Grant Scheme (IMaP), managed by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) in collaboration with industry partners, with the aim of enhancing bilateral collaboration in high-impact research.

The ceremony was officiated by Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, who also witnessed the exchange of documents alongside representatives of the participating companies. Also present were the principal researchers of the four IMaP projects, senior UMT officials, and AKUATROP staff.

In his speech, Prof. Zamri emphasised that this collaboration is a testament to the commitment of AKUATROP and UMT in advancing research, particularly in the fields of aquaculture and fisheries. “Through collaboration between the university and industry, the university not only drives research and development (R&D) progress but also fosters sustainable innovations that are relevant to market and national needs,” he said.

The joint research will focus on mud crab farming technology, the development of alternative protein products using insects, catfish breeding using biofloc technology, and soft-shell crab production technology. These projects are expected to significantly enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the national aquaculture sector, while also facilitating technology transfer to industry stakeholders and local communities.

The IMaP research grant is a strategic initiative by MoHE to promote university-industry research collaboration through co-funding mechanisms. Each project involves both cash and in-kind contributions from industry partners, in line with the national aspiration to strengthen university research capabilities in delivering practical solutions that add value to the economy.

The document exchange ceremony not only marks the official commencement of the project collaborations but also reflects UMT’s aspiration to continue leading the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the region. With ongoing support from the industry, AKUATROP is confident in producing high-quality research that will benefit the community, the nation, and the wider region.