TROPI honoured with Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Augustine Ong International Lifetime Achievement Award for research, innovation

Lulie (front row, third left) and other TROPI staff during Maludam excursion in August 2019. Photo credit: TROPI website

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 23: The Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (TROPI) has been honoured with the prestigious Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Augustine Ong International Special Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Industry category for 2024, presented by the Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA).

TROPI director Datu Dr Lulie Melling highlighted that this recognition underscores the Institute’s vital contributions to sustainable oil palm cultivation and climate change mitigation.

“Being recognised in the Industry category reaffirms our commitment to bridging the gap between scientific innovation and industrial application.

“This award is not just an acknowledgment of TROPI’s work, but a testament to the dedication and resilience of everyone who has contributed to making TROPI the respected, pioneering institute it is today, known for its groundbreaking research on tropical peat and peatlands,” she said.

Dr Lulie Melling

Lulie expressed her gratitude to the award selection panel and MOSTA during her acceptance speech at the Oils and Fats International Congress 2024 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.

Reflecting on TROPI’s humble beginnings in 2008, she acknowledged the challenges they faced, including minimal resources, limited manpower, and the pressures of uncertain research workloads as they ventured into uncharted swamplands.

“Despite these challenges, TROPI pressed on, driven by the Sarawakian spirit of ‘agi idup agi ngelaban’ (while there is life, there is fight).

“Thanks to the unwavering support of the Sarawak government, particularly under the dynamic leadership of our Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg), and shared vision for a sustainable future for peatlands, TROPI has grown from a modest laboratory into a world-class research institute,” she emphasised.

TROPI remains the only dedicated research institute globally focused on tropical peatlands, driving innovation in sustainable oil palm cultivation while assessing environmental impacts.

The Eddy Covariance Tower in Maludam National Park. Photo credit: TROPI website

In 2010, TROPI pioneered the installation of three eddy covariance towers, providing continuous greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon balance data for over a decade. This data has significantly contributed to climate science and positioned TROPI as an influential voice in global climate discussions, particularly on tropical peatlands.

In 2015, TROPI further expanded its research capabilities by establishing a state-of-the-art research complex for tropical peatland studies. This expansion led to significant collaborations with renowned institutions such as Hokkaido University, Nagoya University, the National Institute for Environmental Studies (Japan), the University of Tartu (Estonia), the University of Wisconsin (USA), and Leipzig University (Germany).

TROPI’s global network now includes affiliations with Asia Flux, the Global Flux Network, and the Global Soil Biodiversity Network (Soil BON), driving advancements in sustainable peatland management and oil palm cultivation.

Through these partnerships, TROPI has contributed to the academic field by producing eight PhD graduates, eight MSc graduates, and ten ongoing postgraduate researchers.

Dr Lulie together with her peat troopers carrying fieldwork in peat swap forests.

The institute has also organised numerous international events, notably the 15th International Peat Congress in 2016, held in Kuching—the first time this prestigious event took place in Asia outside Europe and North America.

With over 60 publications in high-impact scientific journals, TROPI has made significant contributions to the global understanding of tropical peatland ecosystems. Its long-term greenhouse gas data has been incorporated into Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, influencing global climate policy and enhancing oil palm productivity while promoting environmental sustainability.

TROPI’s research station in Maludam National Park is recognised as the world’s premier tropical peatland research facility.

The institute is also in the process of finalising its Research Information Management System (RIMS), which will enhance data management, analysis, and dissemination, solidifying TROPI’s international status and elevating Malaysia’s standing in the scientific community. — DayakDaily