Professor Ma Hongyu was invited to visit Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and attend the IFOMSA International Conference
From September 8th to 14th, at the invitation of Professor Mhd Ikhwanuddin, Dean of the Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries Research at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Professor Ma Hongyu from the Institute of Marine Science of College of Science of Shantou University visited Universiti Malaysia Terengganu for academic exchange and attended the International Forum on Marine Science and Aquaculture (2024) held at the university.
During the visit, Professor Ma Hongyu had an in-depth discussion on the construction and development of the two international joint research platforms established by Shantou University and Terengganu University of Malaysia, which are International Joint Research Center for the Development and Utilization of Important Marine Aquaculture Species in the South China Sea Region of Guangdong Province and Shantou University-University of Malaysia Terengganu Joint Laboratory of Shrimp, Crab and Shellfish. Both sides affirmed the achievements of past cooperation and unanimously agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in scientific research collaboration, joint project application, personnel exchange, joint student training, and hosting international joint forums.
During the event, Professor Ma Hongyu was invited to deliver a keynote speech titled Progress on Sex Determination and Differentiation of the Mud Crab (Scylla Paramamosain) at the International Forum on Marine Science and Aquaculture (2024). He introduced the scientific theories and technical achievements of his team in the field of molecular mechanisms of sex determination and gonadal development in mud crabs and engaged in extensive discussions with the delegates on related hot topics.
In addition, Professor Ma Hongyu was also invited to visit the Blue Crab Breeding Center, Artemia Breeding Center, Fish Conservation Center, Tropical Fisheries and Fisheries Research Institute, Marine Biotechnology Research Institute, Sea Turtle Research Center, Bidong Research Center and other scientific research platforms at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Dr. Zhang Yin, a young teacher from the Institute of Marine Science, as well as Chen Yali and Chen Jiaxin who are graduate students participated in the above activities.
The cooperation between Shantou University and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu began in 2018, with a signed agreement renewed in 2023 which led to the establishment of Shantou University - Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Joint Laboratory for Shrimp, Crab, and Shellfish. The two universities jointly applied for and were granted the establishment of International Joint Research Center for the Development and Utilization of Important Marine Aquaculture Species in the South China Sea Region of Guangdong Province in 2023. Prof. Ma Hongyu was appointed as a visiting professor at Terengganu University of Malaysia and Prof. Mhd Ikhwanuddin was appointed as a visiting professor at Shantou University. Shantou University and Terengganu University of Malaysia have jointly applied for projects including the general project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the 2021 Rural Revitalization Talent Training Project of the China Scholarship Council, the International project of Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the science and technology projects of the Ministry of Education of Malaysia, etc,among which five projects were approved. They have published more than 60 SCI papers on international journals such as Environmental Chemistry Letters, Reviews in Aquaculture, and Ecological Indicators. Nearly 100 teachers and graduate students from both sides have visited each other, and more than 10 graduate students have under joint-supervision.
Text: Zhang Yin
Photo: Delegates