The Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), formerly known as the Institute of Marine Biotechnology (IMB), was founded in 2006 at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu with the goal of advancing and excelling in marine biotechnology research, innovation, and commercialisation. The foundation of ICAMB is consistent with Malaysia’s National Biotechnology Policy 2.0, which outlines systematic and strategic guidelines for leveraging biotechnology research discoveries to drive economic growth and improve community well-being.
Under the wise direction of previous directors, ICAMB has progressed through two stages of development in the last decade: “establishment and development phase” and “strengthening phase.” With the university’s management putting their trust in me, I am accountable for carrying on the legacy of forward leaders and bringing ICAMB to the next phase, which I have referred to the “Expansion Phase”.
To put the “Expansion phase” into action, we must carefully plan our expansion journey and strategise how we may continue leveraging ICAMB’s success to become a world-renowned institute. I have divided the plan into many frameworks: creating workforce and experts, a new research program, infrastructure, local and international networks, product innovation, commercialisation, revenue generation, and extension (community services). All of these frameworks are critical for the long-term development of research institutes, and I believe that expanding each component will help ICAMB achieve Hi-COE status by 2025 while earning recognition worldwide.
Prof. Dr. Yeong Yik Sung
Director of Institute of Climate adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB)