SERDANG, Feb 5 - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is focusing on five key strategies – Driving High-Tech Agriculture, Building the Character of UPM Graduates, Pioneering Smart Campus and Digitalisation, Supporting the Continuity of Sustainable Institution and Strengthening the Inculcation of New Norms – to strengthen the aspiration as a respected educational institution. 

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, said UPM would also focus on transforming agriculture involving the use of the latest technology in line with current technological developments.

"This high-tech agriculture involves the use of drones, smart farming systems, artificial intelligence (AI) and public data with the help of increased usage of mechanisation, quality seeds that are disease resistant as well as climate change effect resilient and sustainable agronomic practices," he said that during his speech in the Vice-Chancellor's Narrative 2021 with the theme of “Menggema Seruan Al-Falah dari Menara Ilmu” (Echoing the Call of Al-Falah from the Tower of Knowledge) online.

He said UPM was selected by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to develop the Bachelor programme of Smart Agricultural Technology to fulfil the desire in producing graduates who will lead the nation's smart agriculture sector.

“This programme has been approved by the University Senate and will be offered soon. Curriculum intervention of agricultural programmes to strengthen the field of agriculture must be implemented to produce graduates who are skilled with the latest technology and knowledge in business management and finance," he said.

He also added that UPM responded to the MOHE's intention to support the digitalisation agenda through several initiatives and smart campus implementation strategies for the period of 2021-2025.

He said efforts towards digitalisation had been mobilised through 30 smart campus initiatives covering four clusters, namely Digital Learning, Smart Manage, Secure Campus and IoT Application.

All the smart campus initiatives will be branded with the name of Smart PUTRA^®.

At the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan also launched the UPM 50 Years Golden Jubilee Celebration as a university (1971-2021). Various exciting programmes and activities have been arranged throughout 2021.

Among them were the sale of Gold Bar, the publication of the ‘50 Jewels of UPM’ Coffee Table book and the Royal Concert performance, which is a collaboration between the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Arts and Cultural Centre (PKKSSAAS), UPM and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

The UPM Vice-Chancellor's Narrative Ceremony was held to express the aspirations of the 9th UPM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan, to drive the university to continue to excel as a respected educational institution. - UPM

Date of Input: 14/04/2021 | Updated: 14/04/2021 | hairul_nizam