Antarctica Day: Malaysia’s Legacy in the Land of Ice
The Launching Ceremony which marked the culmination of the celebration was held on 8 December 2025 and graciously hosted by Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN). The ceremony was officiated by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Terengganu, Patron of the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation. Also in attendance were Datuk Nor Yahati binti Awang, Deputy Secretary General (Environmental Sustainability) of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Tan Sri Abdul Razak bin Abdul Majid, Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Salleh bin Mohd Nor, Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Azizan bin Abu Samah, Board of Trustees Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM), Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin bin Megat Hassan, Chief Executive Officer of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Mr. Shukor bin Jamaluddin, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM) and Professor Ir. Dr. Khairul Salleh Mohamed Sahari, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN).
The ceremony was also attended by distinguished guests, including representatives from Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Ministry of Youth and Sports, TNB, representatives from partner organisations, top management and students of UNITEN. What began as small scale Antarctica Day celebrations within individual universities and schools was transformed in 2026 into a nationwide initiative, with the support of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), reaching a far wider audience across Malaysia.
During the ceremony, several key programmes and milestones were also achieved. This included the award of the YPASM Research Grant and Logistic Support 2025 to recipients from 12 local universities, recognising their contributions and commitment to advancing polar research in Malaysia. The event also witnessed the exchange and signing of a Collaboration Agreement on Polar Research between YPASM and 12 local universities for a period of five years (2025–2029), aimed at strengthening academic partnerships and expanding national capacity in Antarctic and polar studies.
In addition, the ceremony marked the official launch of Rakan Muda Rakan Bumi @ Antartika, an initiative implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.. The programme aims to empower Malaysian youth to become environmental ambassadors by promoting awareness, education, and active participation in climate and polar sustainability efforts.
