By UOW Malaysia 

On 4 December 2024, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, launched the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) Southeast Asia Maritime Institute at the University of Wollongong Malaysia’s Glenmarie campus in Shah Alam. The launch event was also attended by several dignitaries, including Her Excellency Danielle Heinecke, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia; YB Howard Lee, Member for Ipoh Timor and member of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for International Relations and International Trade; Datin Paduka Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib, Director-General of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr Camille Goodman, Associate Professor and Head of Postgraduate Studies at ANCORS; YBhg Datuk Seri (Dr) Michael Yam Kong Choy SMW DSNS, Chancellor of UOW Malaysia; and YBhg Dato’ Mohammad Medan Abdullah, Chairman of the UOW Malaysia Board of Governors.

The event began with an introductory speech by Datuk Seri Michael Yam, followed by remarks from Minister Wong. In a heartfelt speech, the UOW Malaysia Chancellor expressed gratitude for the collaboration, stating: “Today marks a truly historic milestone as UOW ANCORS and UOW Malaysia join forces in a strategic partnership to establish the prestigious ANCORS Southeast Asia Maritime Institute at our UOW Malaysia campus. We are deeply grateful for the generous support and commitment of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), whose faith in our institution has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life. For UOW Malaysia, this initiative presents an exciting opportunity to expand our academic portfolio and contribute meaningfully to a field of growing global significance. This collaboration builds on a rich legacy of educational ties between Australia and Malaysia—ties that date back to the Colombo Plan in the 1950s.”

In her speech, Minister Wong reflected on the significance of the Institute, stating, “The establishment of this new institute is part of that historic tradition. It demonstrates how Australia and Malaysia can work together, with our partners in Southeast Asia, to improve our collective maritime capabilities, deepen our understanding of international law, and help assure the rules and norms that support our region.” She went on to highlight Malaysia’s long history as maritime leaders and innovators and emphasised the importance of shared responsibility in shaping a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.

After the speeches, the event moved to the entrance of the ANCORS Southeast Asia Maritime Institute, where Minister Wong officially inaugurated the facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This was followed by a tour of the Institute, during which she met with students undertaking a short course on Southeast Asian Women in Maritime Security.

The UOW Malaysia Glenmarie campus is strategically located near Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, providing convenient access for students from across Southeast Asia. The Institute aims in the future to include students from the broader Indian Ocean Region, leveraging Malaysia’s connectivity as a central hub with direct access from countries such as India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

About UOW ANCORS

The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) is the only multidisciplinary university-based centre of its type in the Southern Hemisphere dedicated to delivering specialised research, advisory services, education and training in ocean law and policy, maritime security, and marine resources management. Offering a wide range of ocean-related expertise and professional experience, ANCORS has forged a strong reputation as a leading source of authoritative policy development advice and other support services to government agencies in Australia, the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, as well as to regional and international organisations and ocean-related industry.