INSTITUTE OF CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY

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International Conference on Marine Biotechnology (ICOMB2026)

Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is set to host the prestigious 3rd International Conference in Marine Biotechnology (iCOMB2026), scheduled to take place from 22 to 23 September 2026 at the Palm Garden Hotel, Putrajaya, Malaysia. The conference will be held in conjunction with the Sultan Mizan World Blue Economy Forum 2026 and the UMT 25th Silver Jubilee Celebration.

Carrying the theme “Advancing Marine Biotechnology for Ecosystems and Societal Well-Being,” iCOMB2026 highlights the strategic role of marine biotechnology in preserving ecosystems while enhancing societal well-being. 

The event was officiated by the Chairman of the UMT Board of Directors, Prof. Dr. Mohamad Salmi bin Mohd Sohod, and witnessed by the Ambassador-designate of Belgium to Malaysia and Brunei, H.E. Mr. Peter Huyghebaert. Also present were UMT Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir (representing the Vice Chancellor) and ICAMB Director Prof. Dr. Yeong Yik Sung.
 
Key highlights of the i-CoMB2026 included:
• The launch of UMT as the Global ONCE Hub for ASEAN
• Presentation of the UMT-Ghent University Double Degree Scholarship certificates
• Premiere of the ICAMB HICOE corporate video
 

The organization of iCOMB2026 is led by UMT as the Main Organizer, in collaboration with the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM) and Ghent University (Belgium). The conference is also supported by esteemed co-organizers, including the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and the international research organization WorldFish. The conference secretariat is based at the Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology (ICAMB), a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) under UMT.

The conference focuses its discussions on six main scientific tracks:

  • Climate Change and Organism Adaptation

  • Natural Products and Bioresources

  • Microbial Biotechnology

  • Systems Biology

  • Immune and Molecular Therapeutics

  • Aquaculture

Distinguished International Speakers

iCOMB2026 features a distinguished line-up of world-renowned scientists, including:

  • Emeritus Prof. Dr. Sandra Shumway (University of Connecticut, USA) — Shellfish Biology and Adaptation

  • Emeritus Prof. Dr. Patrick Sorgeloos (Ghent University, Belgium) — Aquaculture

  • Prof. Dr. Yves Van de Peer (Ghent University, Belgium) — Bioinformatics

  • Prof. Dr. Edward Allison (WorldFish) — Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems

  • Prof. Dr. Zhanjiang John Liu (Tennessee Tech University, USA) — Aquatic Science

  • Prof. Dr. Nianzhi Jiao (Xiamen University, China) — Climatology

  • Prof. Datuk Wira Dr. Raha Abdul Rahim (NIBM, Malaysia) — Microbiology

In addition to the plenary sessions, the program features a dedicated panel session entitled WorldFish Forum: Nature-Based Innovations, scheduled for 22 September 2026 at 12:30 PM (local time) in the Rafflesia Ballroom, Palm Garden Hotel. Moderated by Mr. Boripat Lebel from Chiang Mai University (Thailand), the forum brings together prominent expert speakers, including:

  • Prof. Dr. Lim Phaik Eem (Universiti Malaya, Malaysia)

  • Dr. Eduardo Leano (NACA, Thailand)

  • Prof. Dr. Natrah Fatin Mohd Ikhsan (Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia)

  • Dr. Jean Michel Mortillaro (CIRAD, France)

For More informations, please visit: https://icomb.umt.edu.my/