By: Mohd Hasrul Hamdan
Photo by: Marina Ismail
SERDANG, March 23 – The Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) hosted a Network of Agricultural Engineering Industry and launched a Landmark Birth of the Agricultural Engineering in Malaysia programme in its effort to enhance the profession of agriculture engineers in the country.
UPM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Dr. Aini Ideris said through such network, the field of agriculture could be strengthened, with UPM’s Faculty of Engineering continued to serve as the key pillar in producing experts in the field of agricultural engineering.
“Agricultural Engineering is vital as the role of those specialists in this profession is to increase the country’s agriculture output and products, find solutions to on-going efforts to reduce operational production cost, protect workers’ health and their safety as well as to safeguard the environment for sustainable agriculture growth,” she said when launching the event.
UPM Head of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, Dr.Samsuzana Abd Aziz, meanwhile, said the programme would pave the way for future partnership and network in strengthening the profession for career continuity in the future.
He also said UPM’s Engineering Faculty offered Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering and Bio-system (BKPB) to bring the field of agriculture to greater heights not only in agriculture but also to ensure that the national food supply is guaranteed in generating incomes.
“BKPB programme is recognized by the Department of Public Services (JPA), Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and at the international level, the Washington Accord. Demand for graduates in this field is high at all time,” he said.
Until today, both the public and private sectors continue to hire BKPB graduates, including the Agriculture Department, Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA), Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), Farmers Organization Authority of Malaysia (LPP), Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Agricultural Research And Development Institute (MARDI), National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), Sime Darby and Genting Plantation.
Graduates in this field also venture into enterprising businesses by setting up companies dealing with engineering designs, fabrication and supply of engineering equipment.
The Landmark Agricultural Engineering in Malaysia, the brainchild of the Faculty of Agriculture, was launched during the event to symbolise the development of agricultural engineering in Malaysia. – UPM.
