KUALA LUMPUR: Dr Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir, the first Asian woman to cross Antarctica solo, is set to make a return expedition to the South Pole this month.
This time, however, she will be accompanied by her protégé, 20-year-old university student Muhammad Khairul Akmal Adam, who will use the experience to become a champion of climate change for youths.
Speaking to reporters today, Sharifah Mazlina said the upcoming Climate Force 2041 expedition, which will be her sixth trip to Antarctica, will serve as educational trip to spread awareness on climate change when they return.
Sharifah Mazlina, who is the founder of non-governmental organisation All Women Empowerment To Accelerate (Aweta), said the decision to bring a male protégé is a deliberate one and showed that Aweta is not gender-biased.
"Another reason I chose my protege is because he will be able to better spread the knowledge gained from this exploration to his peers and those younger than him.
"Besides, in the last round in 2019, I took three female protégés whom Aweta had carefully chosen through a nationwide selection road show," she said.
Sharifah Mazlina said the invitation to join the Climate Force 2041 expedition came personally from renowned polar explorer Sir Robert Swan, who is also the founder of the Climate Force 2041 Foundation, during her last participation in 2019.
She said each expedition has opened up to her the adverse effects of climate change on the icy continents.
"The threat from global warming is real. Having witnessed the extent of the damage that global warming has done to the climate and humankind first-hand, it has become my responsibility to educate and create awareness," she said.
Sharifah Mazlina and Akmal will leave for Argentina on March 14 and set sail with Swan on March 17.
"The 12-day expedition, which ends on April 4, will feature 230 participants from all over the world, including participants and experts from the United Kingdom, Canada and even the Middle East," she said, adding that Malaysia will be the 92nd country to join the mission.
She said the duo will be taking pictures and videos during the expedition to share with the rest of Malaysia and the world about the effects of global warming.
"We will document it to raise awareness and carry out a climate change campaign in universities and schools so that all mankind can help slow down the adverse process together.
Sharifah Mazlina said the government has to take global warming seriously and prepare for it as a nation.
"Insyallah (God willing), upon our return from Antarctica, we will host a global warming awareness road tour to share our experiences."
Akmal, a digital motion graphics major In Multimedia University Malaysia, said he would use his skills to create animations or graphics to share on social media to educate youths in Malaysia upon his return.
"I'm delighted at being selected. I hope to raise awareness and influence youths in Malaysia about Climate Force," said Akmal, who has been training for the last four months for the expedition.
He said, following intense physical training, he has increased his body weight from 49kg to 61kg.
"I've also strengthened my mental health tremendously. In Antarctica, my main concern will my health and well-being. It's not a holiday destination but a place with extreme weather. Thankfully, I'll have an expert to guide me all the way," he said.
Also present at the event was Akmal's mother, Dr Zuraini Md Isa, a lecturer in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam.
Zuriani admitted she has mixed feelings about her son's participation as it would be his first time away from family.
"I'm a bit worried but I'll place my trust in Sharifah Mazlina, who has brought so much positive changes in him even before the expedition begins. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Akmal," she said.