By Anis Amirah Ayob (anisamirah@might.org.my)
This article is drawn from the NUOF Report, which highlights impactful projects supported by the Newton Ungku Omar Fund (NUOF) programme. NUOF has played a pivotal role in empowering researchers and individuals to achieve significant milestones, including securing international funding, expanding global networks, and fostering meaningful collaborations. The case studies featured in the report showcase just a few of the remarkable successes that have emerged through NUOF, underscoring its role as a catalyst for innovation and international partnership. The Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) is one of the programme’s successful case studies, illustrating its impact on advancing scholarly and scientific pursuits.
Malaysia has made significant advancements in climate resilience through the WCSSP, an international collaboration funded with RM58.8 million and involving over 600 experts from key agencies such as MET Malaysia and Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). As part of a broader effort supported by the NUOF, WCSSP promotes science, technology and innovation capacity between Malaysia and the UK. The 3-year initiative, led by the UK Met Office and including Southeast Asian partners, builds on NUOF’s success in promoting partnerships and knowledge exchange to develop regionally tailored, high-impact forecasting solutions. Together, WCSSP and NUOF advance Malaysia’s strategic goals in research, AI, and institutional collaboration, accelerating its transition to a knowledge-based economy and enhancing its role as a regional leader in climate science.
