Chan Eng Heng | |
---|---|
Born | Chan Eng Heng 7 January 1950
Penang, Malaysia |
Alma mater | Convent Light Street, Penang St. Xavier's Institution, Penang Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang Kagoshima University, Japan |
Known for | Study and conservation of turtles |
Awards | UNEP
Global 500 Roll of Honour (2001)
UNEP's Who's Who of Women and the Environment (2006) ISTS International Sea Turtle Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) Wiki Impact 100 Changemakers in Malaysia (2022) |
Dr. Chan Eng Heng, a retired professor from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, is a turtle conservationist who has been recognised by the United Nations Environment Program for her efforts to protect sea turtles. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Chan was inducted to the UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour and became a Global 500 Laureate [4] [5] in 2001 and in 2006 she was listed in the UNEP's Who's Who of Women and the Environment. [1] In 2019, Chan was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sea Turtle Society. [6] In addition, in 2022, Chan was recognised as one of the Wiki Impact 100 Changemakers creating real impact in Malaysia. [7]
Dr. Chan Eng Heng was born in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia in 1950. Completed primary and secondary school education in Convent Light Street and sixth form in St. Xavier's Institution, Chan Obtained BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees from Universiti Sains Malaysia before embarking on an academic career in University Putra Malaysia (previously known as Agriculture University of Malaysia).
In 1993, Chan earned her PhD from Kagoshima University, in Japan, under the RONPAKU scholarship programme of the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science.
Chan had co-founded and co-led the Sea Turtle Research Unit aka SEATRU in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu between 1985 and 2009, and retired from the post as a professor.
In 2011, fuelled by her passion to continue working on turtle conservation, Chan co-founded the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia. Chan has served as President and vice-president in the society.
Chan is well known, both locally and abroad for her contributions in the field of turtle research, conservation and education. The recognition of her expertise has been reflected in the various appointments at the national, regional and international levels accorded to her. Chan has also served as turtle expert in numerous regional and international sea turtle workshops, besides having been invited as guest/plenary/keynote speaker at numerous conferences and seminars.
After retirement, Chan also started dabbling in art as a medium to help create awareness on turtles. She helped renovate Kuala Terengganu, a derelict alley in Chinatown, into a Turtle Alley to celebrate turtles and to bring more awareness to their plight. The alley is adorned with turtle mosaics mounted on the walls as well as along the walkway. Turtle trivia, fact sheets and her book, “Little Turtle Messenger” etched in metallic plates further enhance the educational value of the alley.
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Pertanian Malaysia
Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Chan is recognised for initiating the first Malaysian in-situ egg protection program for marine turtles in the Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary in Redang Island. Since its inception in 1993, the project has developed into a long-term nesting and tagging research program that incorporates a highly successful volunteer program. [9] By extending her work to cover the critically endangered river terrapins of Terengganu in 2004, Chan has supported that work evolve into community-based projects in the Setiu and Kemaman Rivers under the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia. Her conferment into the UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour in 2001 was another mention Chan's contributions in marine turtle conservation were recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as being listed in the UNEP's Who's Who of Women and the Environment in 2006. In Malaysia, the late Sultan of Terengganu conferred Chan in 1991 the title Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) in recognition of her contributions in the state.[ citation needed] The university has also honored Chan with several research awards.[ citation needed]In 2019, Chan was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sea Turtle Society. [6] In addition, in 2022, Chan was recognised as one of the Wiki Impact 100 Changemakers creating real impact in Malaysia. [7]
Many of Chan's written works have been applied directly in the conservation of turtles in Malaysia, either to enhance existing efforts, or to develop new approaches in protecting turtles. Chan has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, magazines and newsletters, and a children's book titled "Little Turtle Messenger" is an educational tool on the field for turtle watchers as well as those young wildlife supporters at home. Citations of Chan's publications have been printed extensively in the report of the WTO aka World Trade Organization, Panel on the United States – dated 15 May 1998. [10]
Chan's work on sea turtles has been featured in both local and foreign TV programmes, such as "Beyond 2000″, "World Gone Wild" ( Fox Family Channel), "Meeting a New Asia" ( NHK), "Our Scientists and Inventors" (Momentum II), as well as TV3′s "Majalah 3″ and "Malaysia Hari Ini".
Save our Turtles Outreach Program (popularly called STOP) that SEATRU projects in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu is another innovative avenue Chan is known for, aiming at endearing turtle conservation to the hearts of the common public. STOP has installed “nest and turtle adoption schemes” and a series of volunteer programs, which involve the public directly in turtle conservation efforts. As attested in the 30-odd media articles on that program, STOP has been highly publicised through wide range of media thresholds.[ citation needed]
Chan was conferred a 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Sea Turtle Symposium. [11]
Chan Eng Heng | |
---|---|
Born | Chan Eng Heng 7 January 1950
Penang, Malaysia |
Alma mater | Convent Light Street, Penang St. Xavier's Institution, Penang Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang Kagoshima University, Japan |
Known for | Study and conservation of turtles |
Awards | UNEP
Global 500 Roll of Honour (2001)
UNEP's Who's Who of Women and the Environment (2006) ISTS International Sea Turtle Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) Wiki Impact 100 Changemakers in Malaysia (2022) |
Dr. Chan Eng Heng, a retired professor from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, is a turtle conservationist who has been recognised by the United Nations Environment Program for her efforts to protect sea turtles. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Chan was inducted to the UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour and became a Global 500 Laureate [4] [5] in 2001 and in 2006 she was listed in the UNEP's Who's Who of Women and the Environment. [1] In 2019, Chan was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sea Turtle Society. [6] In addition, in 2022, Chan was recognised as one of the Wiki Impact 100 Changemakers creating real impact in Malaysia. [7]
Dr. Chan Eng Heng was born in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia in 1950. Completed primary and secondary school education in Convent Light Street and sixth form in St. Xavier's Institution, Chan Obtained BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees from Universiti Sains Malaysia before embarking on an academic career in University Putra Malaysia (previously known as Agriculture University of Malaysia).
In 1993, Chan earned her PhD from Kagoshima University, in Japan, under the RONPAKU scholarship programme of the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science.
Chan had co-founded and co-led the Sea Turtle Research Unit aka SEATRU in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu between 1985 and 2009, and retired from the post as a professor.
In 2011, fuelled by her passion to continue working on turtle conservation, Chan co-founded the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia. Chan has served as President and vice-president in the society.
Chan is well known, both locally and abroad for her contributions in the field of turtle research, conservation and education. The recognition of her expertise has been reflected in the various appointments at the national, regional and international levels accorded to her. Chan has also served as turtle expert in numerous regional and international sea turtle workshops, besides having been invited as guest/plenary/keynote speaker at numerous conferences and seminars.
After retirement, Chan also started dabbling in art as a medium to help create awareness on turtles. She helped renovate Kuala Terengganu, a derelict alley in Chinatown, into a Turtle Alley to celebrate turtles and to bring more awareness to their plight. The alley is adorned with turtle mosaics mounted on the walls as well as along the walkway. Turtle trivia, fact sheets and her book, “Little Turtle Messenger” etched in metallic plates further enhance the educational value of the alley.
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Pertanian Malaysia
Kolej Universiti Sains dan Teknologi Malaysia
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Chan is recognised for initiating the first Malaysian in-situ egg protection program for marine turtles in the Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary in Redang Island. Since its inception in 1993, the project has developed into a long-term nesting and tagging research program that incorporates a highly successful volunteer program. [9] By extending her work to cover the critically endangered river terrapins of Terengganu in 2004, Chan has supported that work evolve into community-based projects in the Setiu and Kemaman Rivers under the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia. Her conferment into the UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour in 2001 was another mention Chan's contributions in marine turtle conservation were recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as being listed in the UNEP's Who's Who of Women and the Environment in 2006. In Malaysia, the late Sultan of Terengganu conferred Chan in 1991 the title Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) in recognition of her contributions in the state.[ citation needed] The university has also honored Chan with several research awards.[ citation needed]In 2019, Chan was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sea Turtle Society. [6] In addition, in 2022, Chan was recognised as one of the Wiki Impact 100 Changemakers creating real impact in Malaysia. [7]
Many of Chan's written works have been applied directly in the conservation of turtles in Malaysia, either to enhance existing efforts, or to develop new approaches in protecting turtles. Chan has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, magazines and newsletters, and a children's book titled "Little Turtle Messenger" is an educational tool on the field for turtle watchers as well as those young wildlife supporters at home. Citations of Chan's publications have been printed extensively in the report of the WTO aka World Trade Organization, Panel on the United States – dated 15 May 1998. [10]
Chan's work on sea turtles has been featured in both local and foreign TV programmes, such as "Beyond 2000″, "World Gone Wild" ( Fox Family Channel), "Meeting a New Asia" ( NHK), "Our Scientists and Inventors" (Momentum II), as well as TV3′s "Majalah 3″ and "Malaysia Hari Ini".
Save our Turtles Outreach Program (popularly called STOP) that SEATRU projects in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu is another innovative avenue Chan is known for, aiming at endearing turtle conservation to the hearts of the common public. STOP has installed “nest and turtle adoption schemes” and a series of volunteer programs, which involve the public directly in turtle conservation efforts. As attested in the 30-odd media articles on that program, STOP has been highly publicised through wide range of media thresholds.[ citation needed]
Chan was conferred a 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Sea Turtle Symposium. [11]