| Universiti Putra Malaysia

UPM develops 3u1i study programme in smart agriculture

By: Nur Syamila Kamarul Arefin

SERDANG, October 6 - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has developed its inaugural 3u1i programme, namely the Bachelor of Technology in Smart Agriculture programme, under the Faculty of Agriculture.

Deputy Dean (Academic, Student Affairs, and Alumni), Faculty of Agriculture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juwaidah Sharifuddin, said this programme is offered in line with the National Agrofood Policy (DAN2.0) in driving the agricultural sector towards a more competitive direction.

Prof. Madya Dr. Juwaidah Sharifuddin

 

"Thus, there is a need to produce labour or skilled workers who can use the technology applied in the agricultural sector in Malaysia as well as abroad.

She added that this programme is aimed at producing agricultural technologists who are knowledgeable and competent in handling sustainable smart agricultural technology, can develop and manage agricultural production based on smart farming systems as well as practise increasing knowledge through continuous learning in the field of smart agriculture in line with the current development in the agricultural sector, and able to convey knowledge to the community of technologists in relation to smart farming systems," she said.

Moreover, she said this programme is offered full-time for four years in two different modes, coursework mode and industrial mode (3u1i); for example, working at Guthrie Estates.

"For the industrial mode, students will be at the university for three years and then one year in industry," she said.

Meanwhile, a selected student who continued in this field, AyuShuhada Ahmad Hilmey, said agriculture is one of the main fields for all countries, especially in food supply and job opportunities.

Ayu Shuhada Ahmad Hilmey

 

"Hence, since the expectation of a food security crisis has been raised, we can see the efforts put in the field of agriculture are always relevant and provide modern agricultural knowledge to the younger generation," she said.

In the meantime, a student from Sarawak, Albert Brassington Anak Gurkha, 21, opined that this programme could help him to have a deeper understanding of agricultural technology.

Albert Brassington Anak Gurkha

 

"The agriculture course is of great interest to me because my family members have been earning a living in agriculture. The field of agriculture has been running in my blood since childhood.

A total of 20 students were selected to continue in the Bachelor of Technology in Smart Agriculture programme introduced for the first time by the Faculty of Agriculture to students of the 2022/2023 session. - UPM

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