Heriot-Watt University, Malaysia Campus, secures five new GCRF research projects

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Colleagues in Malaysia are delighted to have secured funding for five of six of the recent GCRF Small Grants projects. These projects were awarded following a two-day workshop held at the end of August. During the workshop, that focused on the theme 'Climate Change Impacts on Vulnerable Communities in SE Asia', multi-disciplinary teams were formed and subsequently given an opportunity to 'pitch' their idea and receive initial feedback.

Funding was awarded on a competitive basis with the primary aim of ensuring the projects were able to pump prime future activity. The principal investigators from HWUM are: Dr Go, Yun Ii, Dr Ke, Guek Nee, Dr Nooryusmiza Yusoff, Dr Adlansyah Abd Rahman and Dr Ng, May Yee, with each leading a team of researchers and external partners.

Director of Research for the Malaysia campus, Professor Lynne Jack, said:

'I'm very proud of how my colleagues in Malaysia engaged with the workshop and subsequently submitted exceptionally high-quality proposals that have now secured funding. To have five projects led from the Malaysia campus is testament to the relevance of the research currently being undertaken here'.

All projects have a focus on addressing the challenges faced by national or local governments, or local communities. Project themes include: the use of fog-to-water techniques; restoration of coastal mangroves; biogas provision for indigenous communities; the use eco-charcoal to support social entrepreneurship; and the provision of disaster relief for vulnerable families.

Three of the projects are being undertaken with external partners based in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. Outcomes from the research will not only help us strengthen cross campus and international collaboration but will also help the University build capacity and promote economic development and welfare in these DAC-listed countries.