By: Noor Eszereen Juferi
Photography by: Marina Ismail
SERDANG, July 20 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Bioversity International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop collaborative opportunities to enhance the performance of UPM in research, particularly in agriculture, forestry and biotechnology in the international arena.
UPM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Dr. Aini Ideris said the collaboration served as a platform for international students to undertake joint research projects together with UPM lecturers and scientists of Bioversity International.
"Bioversity International is an international biodiversity research organization that focuses on improving food security and nutrition, endurance of the species of plants and trees as well as productivity and climate change of member countries.
“Collaboration with international organizations will definitely improve the performance of UPM students at the international stage,” she said.
Bioversity International, a member of CGIAR Consortium, was set up with the aim to develop and carry out research projects to address complex issues related to agriculture development.
Bioversity International which is now placed under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been in operation for more than 20 years in Serdang, covering the Asia Pacific region.
Meanwhile, the Principal Research Fellow of the Laboratory of Sustainable Resources Management (BIOREM), Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Prof. Dato' Dr. Nik Mohamed Nik Ab. Majid has been appointed as Honorary Research Fellow by Bioversity International until December 2016 while Dr. Riina Jalonen who is Bioversity International Associate Scientist has been appointed as Research Associate at UPM’s INTROP. - UPM
