By: Norazlin Mustapha
Photo by: Marina Ismail
SERDANG, March 6 - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in preserving the country's environmental conservation.
The collaboration encourages non-academic staff and UPM graduates to become active volunteers in activities organised by MNS.
UPM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Dato' Dr Aini Ideris said that the collaboration would encourage UPM and MNS to further enhance the existing collaboration.
"This includes extensive research in natural resources, forestry and environmental conservation," she said.
She said that the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FPAS), UPM was appointed to spearhead the collaboration on behalf of the university.
MNS President, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ismail said that MNS has encouraged and opened up opportunities for UPM students to undergo industrial training and involve in volunteering activities with MNS to strengthen knowledge on environmental sustainability.
"The encouragement can increase administrative efficiency, in addition to exchanges of ideas to take place especially in the field of management and conservation of natural resources, forestry and the environment," he said.
He said the collaboration between UPM and MNS has been successful through the activities organised, particularly in promoting education which is based on the conservation of the environment and biodiversity.
Among the joint activities conducted are collaborations in joint research and publications through the Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) -Asian Coastal Research (ACORE) Research Fund.
UPM pioneered the Nature Lovers Club (KPA) for Youth in 2012. It was then opened up to all university students in Malaysia. UPM also hosted the Youth Environmental Expo (YEE) programme in November 2012 and December 2018.
Also present at the event were UPM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr. Mohd. Roslan Sulaiman; Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaharin Aris; MNS Trustee Board Chairman, AR John Koh Seng; and Executive Director of MNS, I.S Shanmugaraj. - UPM
