By: Nur Syamila Kamarul Arefin
Photo By: Izrul Abdul Jabar
KUANTAN, June 17: The Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is collaborating with University College of Yayasan Pahang (UCYP) and has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in academics, research and idea-sharing, especially in the field of forest plantations, green technology and carbon literacy.
UPM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, said INTROP is recognised as a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) by the Department of Higher Education. It is the main reference point in tropical forestry commodities, an area of expertise in UPM, namely in Kenaf, bamboo and Eucalyptus, forest plants with significant potential in the country’s wood industry.
“INTROP and UCYP will collaborate to develop commodity plantations to explore and reap medium and long-term benefits for both parties.
“The impact from this will contribute to increased research opportunities, environmental sustainability, income generation and prosperity of the local community from the collaboration by means of employment opportunities, enhanced living standards and clean air,” he said.
At the MOU signing ceremony today, the launch of the Pahang Ecology Research Centre (PERC) was also held at the Yayasan Pahang Hall, Kuantan.
According to UCYP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Zainuddin, UCYP established the Pahang Ecology Research Centre, or PERC, as a platform to maintain a relationship between UCYP and UPM in the context of research and innovation.
“UCYP would like to learn more about achieving the UI Green Matrix ranking and was informed that UPM holds the 27th place in the World Ranking 2021 and is the first university to overtake Universiti Malaya, which is at the 32nd place.
“We want to work on environmental sustainability and tourism projects by optimising the capacity of available land space in the state of Pahang in collaboration with UPM and UCYP to produce eco-tourism and agro-tourism projects,” he said.
Also present at the UPM and UCYP MOU ceremony were the Chairman of the Pahang State Tourism, Culture, Environment, Plantation and Commodities Committee, Dato' Sri Haji Mohd. Sharkar bin Haji Shamsudin, Pahang Chief Syariah Judge, Dato Sri Abdul Rahman Md. Yunos and UPM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dr. Nazamid Saari.
