| Universiti Putra Malaysia

UPM wins two HEWM 2015 community projects

By Nik Muhamad Adnan Mohd Nor
Photo by Amirulzaman Kamaruzzaman



PUTRAJAYA, August 14  –  Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) won the first prize under two high-impact community projects categories at the 2015 University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC) Appreciation event held last month in conjunction with the Malaysia Higher Education Week Programme (HEWM 2015) from August 13 to 16.

The awards were presented by Higher Education Ministry Secretary-General, Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang at the ministry.

The recognition went to UPM UCTC Director, Associate Prof Dr. Hawa ZE Jaafar in his capacity as the head for a project - Introducing Sustainable and Innovative Propagation Technique for High Quality and Authenticated Kacip Fatimah Plant Materials.  



He also won another award under the Environmental Development category, walking away with RM3,000 in cash prize, a plaque and an appreciation certificate.

The awards were in recognition of his contributions in producing a valid variety of Kacip Fatimah using cut leaves and introducing a seedling breeding technique with consistent production of up to nine to 15 times which will help care for the environment and the nation’s biodiversity.

The UCTC Appreciation Award is given as a token of appreciation and recognition for community projects that are successfully produced based on the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) principles – high impact, expeditious implementation, minimum cost and sustainable.

According to Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini, since the inception of UPM UCTC on November 30, 2013, a total of 19 UCTCs at public universities had been set up, offering a host of university services to the community.



During the ceremony, UPM Agriculture Faculty won the first prize in Rakan UCTC Cemerlang under the Students’ Association category, walking away with RM5,000 in cash prize, a plaque and an appreciation certificate.

The award was handed over by Deputy Dean of Community and Industrial Network of UPM Agriculture Faculty, Associate Prof Dr. Halimi Mohd Saud.

Dr. Halimi is also the head for Projek Tren Mersing Program Duta Jauhar which was developed, taking into consideration several aspects including minimum cost and short-term but impactful benefits.

“This programme has helped to enhance the standard of economy of the fishing community via innovative strategies that have yielded in the production of more agriculture produce besides promoting tourism through the introduction of planting techniques, minus the soil, and using recycled goods. All these have helped them to sustain the cost of living with the income that they have been getting,” he said - UPM.


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