Thailand to host World Congress of Malacology

Thailand to host World Congress of Malacology

Thailand is the first country in Asia to host the “World Congress of Malacology", the forum of world class mollusc academics in the Southern Island of Phuket this July.

Professor Dr Somsak Panha, who now assumes the role of President of Unitas Malacologica (UM or the World Scientific Society for Molluscs) revealed that Thailand will host the “2010 World Congress of Malacology" during 18-24 July 2009 in Phuket.

Professor Dr. Somsak, also a lecturer at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University added that this congress will be the 17th held by the UM. He added that it would be such a great honor for Thailand as the first country in Asia to host the congress, as the congress would be organized for the first time in Asia as well.

“2010 World Congress of Malacology" is hosted by UM, Chulalongkorn University and the Biodiversity Research and Training Program (BRT) of National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).

The congress will be a forum of discussions among more than 500 world-class malacology academics from various countries on global studies and researches of molluscs. The studies and researches range from basic knowledge of biology, ecology, aquaculture to conservation of molluscs. The discussions will also include courses to support new researchers in South East Asia for higher level of researches.

In addition, the congress will feature exhibitions of molluscs in Thailand with the cooperation of Phuket Marine Biological Centre and Phang-nga Mangrove Forest Natural Resource Study Centre. Academics attending the congress will also have a field trip in Phuket to see biological diversity and fertility of Thailand.

Interested persons can register for the conference from now on until May 2009 at www.wcm2010.com or 02-218-5273.

09 March 2009
National News Bureau of Thailand