Curtin Malaysia and TIIKM join forces to bring the 13th International Conference of Fisheries and Aquaculture to Miri

Miri, Sarawak – 12 August 2026 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has joined forces with Sri Lanka-based The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) to bring an international fisheries and aquaculture conference to Miri, strengthening Sarawak’s role as a platform for global dialogue on sustainable food production, biodiversity and blue economy development.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to co-host the 13th International Conference on Fisheries and Aquaculture (ICFA 2026), which will be held in Miri from 29 to 30 September 2026.

Held under the theme “Blue Horizons: Charting the Future of Sustainable Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Biodiversity,” ICFA 2026 is expected to bring together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and practitioners from across the region and beyond to exchange knowledge, explore emerging technologies and strengthen collaboration in fisheries and aquaculture.

The MoA was signed on 14 July at the Curtin Malaysia campus by Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, Pro Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive of Curtin Malaysia, and Hemal Oshadee Withanawasam, Chairman of TIIKM.

The signing was witnessed by Thennakoonge Chamalki Amasha Kalyanapriya, Head of Conference Strategy and Development at TIIKM, and Donny Tan, Senior Business Development Manager at Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).

Also present were senior Curtin Malaysia academics, including John Curtin Distinguished Professor Ramasamy Nagarajan, Dean of Research and Development and Director of the Curtin Malaysia Research Institute, and Dr Lee Yih Nin, Assistant Director of the Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratories (CARL) at Curtin Malaysia and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Applied Sciences/Aquaculture.

In his welcoming address, Professor Lee said the conference comes at a critical time as countries seek solutions to interconnected challenges involving food security, climate change and biodiversity conservation.

He noted that ICFA 2026’s focus on ecosystem sustainability and responsible fisheries aligns closely with the strategic priorities of Malaysia and Sarawak, particularly in promoting inclusive economic growth and responsible resource management.

“By gathering international researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and practitioners, ICFA 2026 will serve as a global platform for technology transfer, collaborative research, and policy dialogue,” he said.

The conference also provides an opportunity to showcase Sarawak’s growing capabilities and potential in research, innovation and sustainable development while connecting local expertise with international networks.

For TIIKM, the partnership marks a new chapter in its regional engagement, with ICFA 2026 being the organisation’s first event in Sarawak.

Hemal Oshadee Withanawasam expressed enthusiasm about bringing the conference to a new destination and expanding TIIKM’s network in the region.

“This is a great opportunity for us; this is a new destination for us. Even though we have experience across almost all other countries in this region, this is the very first time we are stepping into Sarawak,” he said.

He added that ICFA 2026 would strengthen opportunities for knowledge exchange across the region while creating pathways for future partnerships in other academic and research fields.
The collaboration between Curtin Malaysia and TIIKM underscores the growing importance of international partnerships in addressing complex challenges facing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

By connecting academia, government and industry, ICFA 2026 aims to turn knowledge exchange into opportunities for innovation, research collaboration and more sustainable management of aquatic resources.

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Professor Lee sharing Curtin Malaysia’s research strengths with Hemal Oshadee.

Professor Lee and Hemal Oshadee exchanging the MoA.

Curtin Malaysia and TIIKM representatives at the MoA signing.