UMPSA receives YPASM Research Grant worth RM100,000

BANGI, 8 December 2025 – Senior Director of the Centre for Advanced Mobility & Aerospace, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Professor Dr Rizalman Mamat, was awarded a prestigious research grant, the Agency Fund Year 2025 amounting to RM100,000 from Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM).

His Royal Highness Al-Wathiqu Billah Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Sultan of Terengganu, who is also the Patron of Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan, graciously consented to present the award and officiate the Launching Ceremony of the Antarctica Day 2025 Celebration.

The effort is in line with UMPSA’s strategic commitment towards climate action, particularly in strengthening green technology research and sustainable solutions to address the global warming crisis.

According to Professor Dr Rizalman, with the study titled ‘Sustainable Green Hydrogen in Antarctica: A Techno-Economic and Environmental Feasibility Study for Extreme Cold Climate’, this research focuses on the development of clean energy solutions capable of operating in one of the most extreme environments in the world.

“This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of generating and utilising green hydrogen as an energy source to operate scientific stations in Antarctica.

“In addition, this research has the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help preserve fragile ecosystems in polar regions, thereby contributing to global efforts to combat climate change,” he said.

The ceremony was organised with the cooperation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), and was held at Dewan Seri Saujana, UNITEN, themed ‘Antarctica Connect: Youth for the Poles’.

At the same time, UMPSA also established a collaboration with Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM) under the Smart Partnership Initiative to promote and support polar research (Antarctica and the Arctic) in enhancing Malaysia’s presence in the polar regions, which contributes to national development through understanding climate change and environmental sustainability.

The exchange of cooperation agreements under the Smart Partnership Initiative (SPI) Third Cycle: 2026–2030 involved 12 universities, covering collaboration in research grants, fellowship schemes, and logistical support for young scientists in Malaysia.

Present for the exchange of documents was the Director of the Research Centre, Associate Professor Dr Norhayati Rosli, representing UMPSA.

According to Associate Professor Dr Norhayati, this Antarctic research is relevant to the entire world, particularly in matters related to climate change.

“This collaboration serves as a symbol of peace and a global climate benchmark, while also supporting Malaysia’s efforts in scientific research and environmental sustainability on this continent,” she said.

The organisation of the national-level Antarctica Day 2025 also aims to raise awareness among young people regarding the importance of Antarctica as a symbol of peace and a global climate benchmark, in addition to supporting Malaysia’s efforts in scientific research and environmental sustainability on this continent.

Also held was the forum ‘Peace, Science & Sustainability: Malaysia’s Role in Antarctica’, which was livestreamed simultaneously to universities nationwide.

A total of 100 UMPSA students participated online at the UMPSA Pekan Banquet Hall, coordinated by the Sustainability Development Centre (SDC) UMPSA.

By: Nur Hartini Mohd Hatta, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, UMPSA Press