MUM & TIC MoU - Collaborating for Conservation

From left: Professor Qasim Ayub (Deputy Head of School (Research)), Dr Wan Faridah Akmal Binti W. Jusoh (Senior Lecturer), Professor Emily Goh Joo Kheng (Head of School of Science), Ms Cher Chua-Lassalvy (President, Tengah Island Conservation), Ms Noor Azariyah Mohtar (Executive Director, Tengah Island Conservation).

Monash University Malaysia (MUM) strengthened its commitment to conservation and sustainability by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tengah Island Conservation (TIC) on 23 September 2025. TIC is a science-based, community-driven, and nature conservation NGO initiative based in Mersing, Johor, committed to preserving the island’s biodiversity through habitat monitoring, waste management, sustainable tourism, and education. The MoU outlines a broad range of collaborative initiatives, including joint research, exchange of expertise, community outreach, and opportunities for student internships and fieldwork. This partnership builds a solid platform rooted in MUM and TIC’s shared values of sustainability, community engagement, scientific rigor, and dedication to future generations.

Professor Emily Goh Joo Kheng (Head of School of Science) delivers her welcoming speech.

In her welcoming speech, Professor Emily Goh Joo Kheng, Head of the School of Science, highlighted the importance of the partnership in advancing biodiversity conservation and addressing environmental challenges. She expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration’s potential to enrich research, enhance student learning, and deepen community involvement. She also outlined the School’s research capabilities and called for close collaboration in support of conservation and sustainability.

Ms Cher Chua-Lassalvy (President, Tengah Island Conservation) shares insights on the partnership during the MoU signing ceremony.

Ms Cher Chua-Lassalvy, President of Tengah Island Conservation, echoed this sentiment in her speech, highlighting the value of academic collaboration in advancing TIC’s conservation goals and praising the partnership’s focus on empowering future generations through research, field-based learning, and meaningful community engagement.

A group photo capturing members from the School of Science at Monash University Malaysia and Tengah Island Conservation, celebrating the start of a promising collaboration.

The MoU, effective for three years, paves the way for sustained collaboration between MUM and TIC, focused on advancing knowledge, supporting biodiversity conservation efforts, and promoting a more sustainable future. The event concluded with a networking session and a tour of the School of Science laboratories, reflecting a shared commitment to conservation through research, learning, community engagement, and scientific collaboration.