Geoscientists can understand the close relationship between people and the environment to contribute towards continued sustainability of the community. Minerals and Geoscience Department Director General Dato' Yunus Abdul Razak said there are laws regulating the practice that should not harm the environment.

Yunus commented on this at the opening of National Geoscience Conference 2011 by Local Government, Housing, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Zahri Jamil. 

Some 200 participants from universities and governmental departments attended the two-day conference, themed “Geoscientists and Ethics for a Sustainable Society”.

Geological Society of Malaysia president Dr Joy J Pereira said the theme was chosen to create awareness amongst geologists on the importance of ethics and ethical behaviour in their profession.

“The conference is also an important platform for geologists to share new findings, facilitate exchange of views and also for the introduction of new ideas and knowledge in this field of study,” she said.

Iranian participant Noushin Naraghi, 29, a PhD student at Universiti Sains Malaysia said the conference had benefited her in ways of gaining knowledge as well as networking with her peers in the field.

“This conference will definitely help me in my research” she said. Another participant, Luluan A. Lubis, 25, from Indonesia said he presented one of his working papers at the conference.

“This is also a good opportunity for me to get some input and evaluation on my work which I can improvise,” said the Universiti Teknologi Petronas student.