MPS Report on Pre-Congress Training Programme (PCTP)

By Felicity Oram – 11 September 2023

The Malaysian Primatology Society (MPS) is proud to have sponsored 31 AESAN regional attendees to the MPS-International Primatology Society Congress, held August from 19th to 25th 2023, in Kuching, Sarawak. Additionally, MPS helped support two students’ participation in the Pre-Congress Training Programme (PCTP), held the week before the main meeting. With core operational funding from the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation through the International Primatological Society (IPS), the PCTP is an intensive field course for early-career primatologists from countries where nonhuman primates live. The objective of the programme is twofold. First, is to expand capacity through experiential learning that augments formal study, and second, to build cross-regional understanding and collaboration. Held at Bako National Park and Semenggoh Wildlife Centre in cooperation with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, students in this year’s programme were from Brazil, Indonesia (Sumatra), Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philippines.

Nurthaqifah Samsudin, who is just beginning her MSc study on gibbon genetics at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), found that “meeting all the (PCTP) participants from different countries and with different perspectives was a great incentive to start thinking outside the box. As a newbie, the training boosted my enthusiasm and confidence for my project. It was an excellent way to obtain additional information, expertise, and advice that will be helpful before, during, and after conducting my research.”

The 2nd Malaysian participant, Sharifah Noor Hazimah binti Mohammad Shom from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), is finishing her MSc study on proboscis monkeys. She noted, “being supported by MPS to participate in the PCTP was invaluable. It allowed me to share experiences with peers from diverse regions where other nonhuman primates reside and to learn from experienced instructors who shared their wisdom and insights beyond what can be obtained from textbooks. This comprehensive course has enhanced my practical skills, cross-regional understanding, and capacity to contribute effectively to primate conservation efforts in Malaysia and beyond.”

For co-instructor Felicity Oram, a PhD from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, who specialises in orang utans living in human-modified habitats and serves as one of the scientific advisors to MPS, “it was a privilege to work with such skilful colleagues as Dr Tatyana “Tanya” Humle and Dr Ramesh “Zimbo” Boonratana and to gain insights from all the participants' experiences in the context of the regions where they work. We have much to share and learn from each other!”

All three of us are grateful for the opportunity from MPS and the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation to build our skills so we can better champion the 26 different nonhuman primates living in Malaysia. Primate Kita, Khazanah Kita!