EXPLORING ANTARCTICA		ABOUT MARP
		Antarctica – Preserving a Global Heritage Antarctica has always fascinated mankind; the continent's isolation and hostile environment fired adventurous imaginations and insatiable scientific curiosity during the early heroic era as encapsulated by the race between Scott and Amundsen to be the first to reach the South Pole. Malaysia has long held the belief that Antarctica is a priceless human heritage and this is reflected in Malaysia 's policies towards its protection. This is cemented by the initiation of the Question on Antarctica in the United Nation in 1982 by Malaysia and Antigua . The Question of Antarctica was presented annually at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) from 1983-1992. After a year's recess in 1993, the Question of Antarctica has become a triennial endeavour at the UNGA. Malaysia 's research program on Antarctica is a signal to the global community of the nation's commitment towards the conservation of the frozen continent for the whole of mankind. •  On the Malaysian Antarctica Research Programme (MARP) •  Objectives of the Malaysian Antarctica Research Programme •  International Cooperation •  Establishing World Class Scientific Research – 3°North to 90°South •  Developing Human Capital •  Strategy for the Future •  Acknowledgment On the Malaysian Antarctica Research Programme (MARP) Malaysia 's instigation into the issue of Antarctica has drawn the interest of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party (ATCP) members culminating in an invitation to attend a workshop on the Antarctic Treaty System at South Beardmore Camp on Antarctica in January 1985. Consequently, Academician Tan Sri Datuk Dr Omar Abdul Rahman, one of the delegates, proposed that a Malaysian scientific group on Antarctica be formed and the means found to enable them to use the research centres in Antarctica . However, the conditions at the time did not permit the establishment of the research entity. This changed when a bilateral scientific cooperation between Malaysia and New Zealand was signed in 1996. Under the collaboration agreement, the New Zealand government offered logistics support as well as scientific collaboration. YB Dato' Seri Ling Leong Sik, the Transport Minister at that time, headed an official visit to Scott Base in Antarctica, following which the Malaysian Cabinet endorsed the setting up of a Malaysian Antarctic research programme in the areas of climate change and biodiversity in November 1997. The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) was given the mandate to set up a taskforce to oversee and coordinate the Malaysian Antarctic Research Programme (MARP). ASM is the focal point and serves as the secretariat to the programme. MARP is funded under the 8 th Malaysian Plan (2000-2005) with an allocation of RM 10 million to initiate and set up Malaysian research in Antarctica . It aims to develop resilient and innovative researchers to cultivate world class scientific research capacity. The Malaysian Antarctica Research Centre located in Universiti Malaya was established on August 5 th 2002 as a centre to coordinate the research activities of the members of the Programme. top of page Objectives of the Malaysian Antarctica Research Programme One of the challenges of Vision 2020 is the establishment of a progressive society that is an innovative contributor to science and technology development of the future. The establishment of MARP is a big step towards the realisation of this goal. As such, the Programme aims to: •  Facilitate and coordinate Malaysian scientific efforts in the areas of global sciences such as climate change and biodiversity, one of the niche areas being the relationship between the tropics and the poles. •  Encourage and foster efforts to develop the capability and capacity of Malaysian scientists to compete at international level via international networking. •  Promote and maintain Malaysia 's presence as a significant player in Antarctic research to pave the way for Malaysia 's entrance into the Antarctic Treaty System and to be admitted as an Antarctica Treaty Consultative Party. To date, the Programme has successfully accomplished its mission to make Malaysia 's scientific presence felt. Among others, the Programme has managed to secure Malaysia a position as an Associate Member of the Scientific Committee of Antarctic Research (SCAR) as well as setting up a network of international and local scientists for technology transfer activities and research in areas such as atmospheric science, life science, solar and terrestrial science and remote sensing. Apart from elevating Malaysian research, the Programme is also invaluable in human resource development necessary to power a knowledge-based economy. top of page International Cooperation Cooperation with national Antarctic research bodies from countries with a long history of Antarctic research is invaluable. They help provide logistic supports as well as insights and scientific partnership to help Malaysian scientists gain a foothold in the field. The following is a list of national Antarctic research bodies working together with MARP: •  Antarctica New Zealand (ANZ) •  Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) •  Instituto Antarctico Argentino (IAA) •  South Africa National Antarctic Program (SANAP) •  British Antarctic Survey (BAS) •  Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) •  National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research , India Scientific endeavour at the scale of Antarctic research is made possible by the cooperation of various research groups that form a cooperative entity to coordinate and structure the work. The commitment and efforts of MARP has garnered Malaysia an Associate Membership of the Scientific Committee of Antarctic Research (SCAR) at the 28 th SCAR Meeting at Bremmerhaven in 2004. This is indeed an honour as SCAR is charged with the initiation, promotion and coordination of scientific research in Antarctica as well as providing independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). MARP has also been invited to become a consultative member of the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM), an arm of SCAR responsible for the collation and dissemination of scientific information gathered by all research under SCAR. top of page Establishing World Class Scientific Research – 3°North to 90°South Malaysia 's scientific adventures in Antarctica started in 1999 and had made a great leap to bring Malaysian scientific research in polar and global sciences to world-class level. This enterprise has led to the charting of new territories that changed Malaysian research paradigm towards looking globally to solve local problems. The cross-pollination of local and foreign expertise has led to increased technology transfer vital for scientific innovation. The injection of fresh ideas and know-how has also stimulated local R&D to new heights. MARP projects were instrumental in integrating researchers from public universities and private education institutions to combine expertise and progress faster while optimising resource management. Malaysia 's Antarctica research focussed on several key areas such as atmospheric science, geology, upper atmosphere and solar terrestrial physics, biological science and remote sensing research. Each team in all fields have distinguished themselves not only nationally, but also has gained recognition internationally for their contribution in the field. In atmospheric science research, the Malaysian team is among those in the forefront of polar numerical weather modelling and the head of this project has been entrusted to head a four-year action group on Modelling and Observation of Antarctic Katabatics (MOSAK) under SCAR. The geology research projects had provided greater insight as to how the landscape of the Antarctica was formed millions of years ago. The findings contribute towards understanding geological processes with applications for mineral and fossil fuel excavation in other parts of the world. The upper atmosphere and solar terrestrial physics researchers have been responsible for a number of new developments in the area, leading to greater understanding of understanding of the sun-Earth relationship and how it impacts the technology the world is increasingly relying upon. The project has been selected for the international study of sun-earth connection under the banner of International Heliophysical Year IHY 2007. The establishment of the Malaysian Antarctic Microalgae Collection is a noteworthy accomplishment of the biological science researchers. Apart from that, the researchers in this area are looking to solve problems from biomonitoring to improving industrial processes to be cleaner and with less impact on the environment. The remote sensing research project has been invaluable in understanding how the environment responds to man-made climactic stresses, a critical step towards alleviating the Earth's environmental strain and improving global well being. The researchers are also working to increase the country's remote sensing capability and to forge the country's place as the first ASEAN country to be involved in remote sensing research in the Antarctica . The contribution of Malaysian researchers in Antarctica has culminated in seven researchers accepted as project leaders for the International Polar Year IPY 2007-2008. The IPY has a long and illustrious history in promoting international cooperation for the advancement of science. This acknowledgment is significant as Malaysia is still a novice in Antarctic research. top of page Developing Human Capital Malaysia needs a technologically savvy, innovative and dynamic workforce in order to compete in the globalised economy. The scientific projects under MARP are producing a good number of graduate students with rigorous training in research and development. The training received during expeditions as well as postings in the laboratories of fellow collaborators are immensely valuable in technology transfer and development of technical skills. The investment is not only in scientific innovation but also in human resource development that will provide the platform for knowledge-based economy. top of page Strategy for the Future Antarctica is a significant platform for the protection of global environment as well as resource management and development. The next logical step for Malaysia to be a key player in this agenda is to accede to the ATCP. As a member of the ATCP, Malaysia will have greater weight and say in the development of policies for Antarctica that will be of national as well as global benefit. The accedence requires Malaysia to contribute significantly in Antarctica 's scientific development and research, a role currently managed by MARP. One of the approaches to promote a sustainable and significant science strategy for the country is the establishment of a Malaysian Research Station in Antarctica . A research station would definitely signal Malaysia 's commitment to expand in Antarctic research. This station would be the first Antarctic research station to be set up by an ASEAN country. The establishment of such a station will lead to a more entrenched commitment of Malaysia to Antarctic and polar research. MARP is also looking into the feasibility of establishing an “Antarctica Research Institute” under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia . This Institute will be the hub of Malaysia 's polar research and is viewed for development to be a centre of excellence. The Antarctica Research Institute will provide a focus point for polar research in the region. MARP has forged the way to bring Malaysia 's research to world-class level as well as promote national and international cooperation to increase the nation's scientific capability and capacity. In essence, the future of MARP is geared towards strengthening Malaysia 's scientific capability and innovation to entrench the nation's place as a developed nation in the year 2020. top of page Acknowledgment The Malaysian Antarctica Research Programme would like to express gratitude to the following for their support and cooperation: •  Government of Malaysia •  Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation •  Ministry of Foreign Affairs •  Malaysian Universities •  Government of New Zealand and the Antarctica New Zealand •  Government of Australia and the Australia Antarctic Division •  Government of South Africa and the South Africa National Antarctica Programme •  Government of Argentina and the Instituto Antarctico Argentino •  Government of India and the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research •  Government of Korea and the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) •  British Antarctic Survey top of page