The Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES) was established in the University of Malaya in 2003 as the University of Malaya Maritime Research Centre (UMMReC) to coordinate and lead all research activities, training and consultancies in marine and maritime research at the University of Malaya. In 2008, based on its achievements, UMMReC was upgraded to the present Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES). In 2009, IOES was recognised as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) under the National Oceanography Directorate (NOD), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). In October 2014, the IOES was awarded the prestigious High Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, in recognition of its leadership in the niche area of “Air-Ocean-Land Interactions”. The IOES addresses MOHE’s priority area of Environment and Climate. In 2019, based on its excellent achievements especially under the HICoE Programme, the IOES was further recognized by Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia with the award of the High Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) Phase II status.

The main strengths of IOES lie in the diversity, depth and range of expertise available, particularly the rare expertise in maritime law and policy, political science and international relations, socio-economics, atmospheric sciences, mangrove ecology, marine biotechnology and marine genomics. The Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences conducts research and undertakes education and technology development in Ocean and Earth Sciences. The IOES will be a centre of excellence in line with the aspirations of the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The research mission of this institute is to achieve international excellence, lead in national and regional research programmes, and to be Asia’s leading academic centre for Ocean and Earth Sciences.

The function of the Institute is three-pronged: Research, Academic Training and Technology Development. 

The Institute is organised into four Research Units:

1. Marine Biotechnology
2. Marine Biodiversity & Coastal Studies
3. Air-Ocean-Land Interaction Studies & Climate Change
4. Maritime Community, Law, Policy and Governance

Vision 

To be at the forefront in generating and disseminating scientific ideas and knowledge in marine and maritime research for sustainable utilisation and management of the marine environment.

Mission 

To seek scientific understanding and to promote best management practices in the utilisation of the marine environment, ocean law and maritime affairs, through multidisciplinary research, education and training