| Universiti Putra Malaysia

UPM, University of Sumatera Utara pave way for closer ties

By Mohd Rezuan Aspar
Photo by Azreen Awang



SERDANG, 7 June (UPM) – There will be more collaboration and exchanges of teaching and research staff of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and University of Sumatera Utara (USU) following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here today.

The pact that lists out their readiness to collaborate and cooperate was signed by the Vice Chancellor of UPM Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Fauzi Ramlan and the USU Vice Rector  (Planning and Cooperation) Prof Dr Ningrum Natasya Sirait.

It was witnessed by the Deputy Dean of the Agriculture Faculty of UPM, Assoc. Prof Dr Che Fauziah Ishak and the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of USU, Prof Dr Ir Darma Bakti.

The MoU between the two universities came about following a visit to Serdang by the academic staff and students of USUS in 2011.

Valid for five years, it also provides for the exchange of ideas and practices, including joint research and curriculum development, exchange of students and collaboration in education and community outreach projects.



The pact with USU which is based in Medan, is the 9th MoU by UPM with Indonesian universities. The others are the University of Jember, Universitas Airlangga, institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Universitas Nasional, Universitas Indonesia, Yogyakarta State University and the University of Diponegoro.

To mark the occasion, both Prof Datuk Mohd Fauzi and Prof Dr Ningrum Natasya also launched a book on “Agribusiness Developments in Malaysia and Indonesia” jointly produced by the two universities at the ceremony.

The book of 20 chapters is a compilation of papers presented by researchers of the two universities at a joint seminar on agribusiness in Medan, on 22nd Sept 2012. The seminar itself came about following a visit to the Agriculture Faculty of UPM by a group of lecturers and students of USU in 2011.

Among other things, it covers the production of agricultural produce like padi, potatoes, pineapples, prawns, herbs and spices, apart from herbal products and issues pertaining to  small and medium enterprises. – UPM

-- mrma/kgo  



WXDTLA~