Research Institutes, Centres and Units - Universiti Sains Malaysia

The Reference Collection Museum
The Malaysian sea (areas of the Straits of Malacca, the South China Sea and Sulu Sea) are
known to be one of the richest areas of marine biodiversity. More than seventy genera of
corals and many more species of fish are found here. The Reference Collection Museum
was started in 1998. Its main objective is to study the biodiversity of the marine areas
in Malaysia. The assistance rendered by classical taxonomists from British Museum, the
Natal Museum and the Japanese Museum of Natural History were instrumental in the
Museum’s establishment. Both dry and wet specimen collections are maintained here.
The main groups of taxonomy kept here are the mollusks (gastropods, bivalves and
nudibranchs), echinoderms (holothurians, asteroids and echinoids), hexacorals and
octocorals.
The herbarium collection comprises the flora around Penang National Parks and the
flora of Merbok Mangrove Forest were collected and kept here.
Public Awareness Program
ECOCAMP an ecology camp is one of the awareness program initiated by CEMACS
focusing on environmental conservation. ECOCAMP involved the scientific study of
nature to understand nature’s richness; the fauna and flora and their relationship with
human. The program is designed to enable participants to gain experience in nature
to mould holistic citizens, not only for themselves but also for their family, community
and future generation.
Briefing by CEMACS Science Officer for ECOCAMP nature activities
CEMACS have also initiated the first International Coastal Cleanup Penang (ICCP)
in Penang National Park coastal areas. The cleanup work coincides with the World
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) that fall on any date in September.
Physical Facilities
CEMACS is located at Teluk Bahang on the northwest coast of Penang Island is equipped
with teaching laboratories, a wet laboratory, a number of hatcheries and small dedicated
laboratories for phytoplankton culture, microbiology and a medium kitchen. Most of
the laboratories are supplied with high quality running seawater, compressed air and
standard laboratory equipment and computer facilities.
This centre is also well equipped for conducting training courses/workshops for group
of 25 scientists or 60 students. Accommodation facilities include self-contained flatlets
and dormitories. The marine centre is a venue that offers Wi-Fi access.
Major equipment available in CEMACS includes spectrophotometers, a gas chromatograph,
HPLC, nutrient auto-analyzers, and research microscope systems. Field equipment
include wave and tide recorders, flourometer, echo sounders, current meter, SCT
meters, DO meters and a global positioning system.