Since its launch in 2002, the Asian Conservation Training (ACT) Program has sponsored over 90 young researchers to join research projects throughout Australia and South East Asia.
For Cheryl Rita Kaur, a researcher for the Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment, based at the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), the opportunity to work alongside other conservationists as part of the ACT program's Coral Reefs of Thailand project proved invaluable. She was one of six participants from countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines who helped monitor coral reefs around the islands of Chumporn Province in the Western Gulf of Thailand.
"I found the expedition an excellent educational opportunity. The exchange of ideas in research and conservation experiences was of great benefit to my personal and career development as they may be replicated in my workplace," she recalls. "I was able to develop my networking skills with like-minded young researchers in the region and also with the professionals involved. The training provided to me on the Earthwatch project has enhanced my ability to conduct field assessment of coral and coral reefs." Cheryl adds that although a good deal of time was spent in the field there was still plenty of time to bond with other team members. "At meal times and when we were paired together for survey activity we were able to discuss the obstacles facing our own environmental conservation issues and try to find solutions to the problems."
Since returning from the project, Cheryl has shared her experience and skills with fellow MIMA staff, friends and colleagues. She has used the reef survey methods learnt during her time on the Coral Reefs of Thailand project to help establish a project based on marine tourism in Malaysia - its potential and pitfalls - that will highlight the importance of coral reefs and the threats to them and influence future reef policy in Malaysia. In 2007 Cheryl was selected to participate in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research 4th Workshop on Sea and Human Security in Japan.