By: Muhammad Hafiz Bin Sulaiman
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has received a visit from Mr. Josef Franz Rieger (Joe), a Fellow from the US which is Deputy Director (Restoration)-Elizabeth River Project in Virginia, US and Ms. Chuah Lay Theng (representative of Terengganu Malaysian Nature Society). On the first day, the organizer, Kenyir Research Institute (IPK) has brought Mr. Joe and Ms. Chuah to visit Setiu Wetlands accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jamilah Mohd Salim @ Halim (Head, Setiu Wetland Research Station) and IPK representatives. In the afternoon, Mr. Joe and Ms. Chuah was taken to the Sungai Puah Dam visit in Kenyir Lake, Hulu Terengganu. This visit was accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suhaimi Suratman (University Researcher from Institute of Oceanography and Environment-INOS, UMT) and Mr. Edmund (PhD. student). During the visit, we were briefed by representatives of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Mr. Safwan Asnawi Bin Ahmad Zaki, Mr. Mohd Yusnizan Yusof and Mr. Pendi Bin Embong.
On 29 February 2016, Mr. Joe has been taken to visit UMT’s beach which experienced erosion process. The visit was accompanied by Prof. Ir Dr. Ahmad bin Jusoh (Dean, School of Ocean Engineering), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Fadhli bin Ahmad (Director of Center Laboratory), Dr. Chong Ju Lian and IPK representatives. Thereafter, Mr. Joe has given a public lecture entitled “Restoration of one of the greatest urban river-Elizabeth river (Virginia, US)” at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Library Auditorium. This public lecture was attended by over 300 participants comprising lecturers, representatives from government agencies such as the Terengganu Department of Wildlife and Nature Parks (Mr. Ayob Bin Daud) and Terengganu Department of Forestry (Pn. Wan Zaizielawany binti Wan Muhamad), post-grad students, and undergrad students from Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Conservation & Management) and Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences). In the afternoon, informal discussions were held between Mr. Joe and Ms. Chuah and the representatives from government agencies and postgrad students at e-Persidangan Room. The visit ended at 4.30 pm.
