Interdisciplinary research through Science-Policy Interface
By Farahdilah Ghazali
Centre for Ocean Governance (COG) was formally launched as a sub-set to INOS on 1 October 2020, sprouting from the Ocean Governance Research Programme established as a HICoE programme in 2013. With the main aim of developing excellence in transdisciplinary research and networking through Science-Policy Nexus for innovative and integrated Ocean Governance, COG’s common goal is to investigate, produce and share knowledge to understand the adoption of sustainable ocean management better.
COG strives to reach the goal through three strategic objectives:
- Developing and strengthening partnerships with government agencies & NGOs in promoting integrated Ocean Governance.
- Promoting the ecosystem-based approach in marine resource management through sustainable ocean economy (Blue Economy).
- Building capacity via Research & Training, Education & Awareness, and Knowledge Transfer on the ocean’s sustainable use and resources.
COG conducts interdisciplinary research through Science-Policy Interface at the national, regional and international level. With increasing environmental issues, oceans are currently under threat and at risk of irreversible damage through unsustainable development in coastal areas, overfishing, marine biodiversity loss, pollution and the impacts of climate change. With its cross-cutting researchers from a multidisciplinary team, COG main research focus is in Marine Spatial Planning, Natural Resources Law and Valuations, Sustainable Coastal and Island Community Livelihood, Sustainable Fishery Resources Management, Sustainable Island and Coastal Tourism, Sustainable Shipping and Seaport, Maritime Geo-Politics, and Ocean Literacy.