Photo taken during the symbolic signing of the MOU between EOS-NTU Singapore represented by Assistant Professor Kyle Morgan from NTU’s Asian School of the Environment and Earth Observatory of Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium represented by Mr Abel Yeo from S.E.A. Aquarium’s Education, Research and Conservation team.

A new joint project between APRU member Nanyang Technological University, Singapore’s Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore feeds perfectly into APRU’s current preparations for the upcoming World Ocean’s Day and the APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting.

EOS conducts fundamental research on earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and climate change in and around Southeast Asia, toward safer and more sustainable societies.

Marked with a symbolic underwater signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on April 30, the new two-year collaboration aims to bring together the expertise and resources of both S.E.A. Aquarium and EOS to help build climate resilience through research projects and educational activities. Researchers and students from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) will be able to use the facilities of S.E.A. Aquarium to trial their equipment before field deployment for their research. EOS will also explore installing sensors to monitor sea-level changes of the Singapore coastline. The marine research conducted by NTU’s EOS will be showcased by the aquarium, with online webinars and educational videos created for visitors. This initiative will push boundaries to combat climate change and conserve the oceans on multiple fronts: public-private partnerships, furthering education, engaging with the public.

“Educating and engaging with diverse communities, such as the youth and the private sector, is crucial to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” said Prof. Benjamin Horton, Director of EOS.

“It empowers them with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to act as agents of change.”

Other EOS initiatives pushing boundaries to combat climate change and conserve the oceans through furthering public-private partnerships, education, and engagement with the public are a cooperation with Science Centre Singapore for the development of exhibitions and educational programs, as well as the production of the “Changing Ocean Asia” documentary, which explores key themes such as engineering solutions to higher sea levels in Asia, super corals, extreme weather and tsunamis, and sinking cities.

Previously in November 2023, EOS collaborated with the APRU Multi-Hazards Program to host The 18th APRU Multi-Hazards Symposium 2023 with the theme “Advancing Frontiers in Disaster Risk Science, Technology and Policy”. The conference, held at the off-campus complex NTU@one-north in a major business area of the city state, proved to be a valuable platform for more than 120 participants from 15 economies to circle in on a wide range of issues related to climate change, earthquake risks, urban planning, public health and environmental hazards.

World Ocean Day, powered by the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council on June 8 and year round, catalyses collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate. The APRU Annual Presidents’ Meeting, for its part, will be held June 24-26 on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Tāmaki Makaurau (the Māori name for Auckland). Hosted by the University of Auckland under the theme “Oceans – The World’s Challenges Divide Us, the Ocean Currents Connect Us”, the event will explore and exchange knowledge and insights to consider the impacts of climate change on the oceans and the implications for communities and indigenous populations, climate justice, as well as food and water security.