Working visit to UPM: Mohamed Khaled taking a closer look at the research findings and products at an exhibition.
WITH agriculture as its main thrust, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) can play a big role in helping to combat the global food security crisis.
Agriculture, which was an important and strategic sector for the country, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, was about more than just the production of crops, livestock and fisheries.“It also involves various fields of knowledge such as science, mathematics, marketing and business.
“UPM must increase its collaborations with other institutions and industries, particularly in the sharing of resources to enhance the agricultural sector as a whole, and not just focus on the output, but also the outcome to the community and the country,” he said in a press release after a working visit to the varsity on Jan 27.
During the visit, Mohamed Khaled was briefed on the varsity’s progress and direction. He also visited an exhibition featuring products and findings by the varsity’s researchers.
UPM, he said, could not afford to just focus on crops, livestock and fisheries; emphasis must also be given to value-added products that were produced for lucrative spin-off industries that could enrich the nation.
The varsity, he said, had produced many research projects and must play its role in benefiting communities through social entrepreneurship and social innovation.
“Knowledge and discoveries cannot be kept only in the universities.
“Universities have a responsibility to educate, train and network with communities to enable the transfer of knowledge and findings for the benefit of everyone,” he said, adding that the discovery and sharing of knowledge would result in communities having greater trust in institutions of higher learning.
On Jan 26, Mohamed Khaled visited Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where he launched the book “Einstein di Malaya”.
While the varsity had achieved many successes, he called on UKM to be strategic and proactive in championing issues that empowered the people and in developing Malaysia Madani.
“UKM can contribute to the growth of Malaysia as a great civilisation.
“My ministry welcomes new ideas and ways of managing and enhancing the country’s institutions of higher learning, specifically in the sharing of resources, research collaborations and finding new solutions that can lead to reduced financial burden for university students,” he said in a separate press release.
