July, 24 – The top management members of the Institute of Plantation Studies (IKP), UPM had organised online discussion with the top management members of Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) to identify potential collaborations in research and human capital development. The team from IKP was led by the Deputy Director, Prof. Dr. Wong Mui Yun which were accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazmi Mat Nawi (Head, Laboratory of Plantation System Technology and Mechanization), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Rafein Zakaria (Head, Laboratory of Processing and Product Development) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ganesan Vadamalai (Head, Laboratory of Sustainable Agronomy and Crop Protection). While the team from MCB was represented by YBrs. Dr. Ramle Hj. Kasin (Director general of MCB), Dr. Albert Ling (Director of Biotechnology Division), Mr. Shari Fuddin Sha'ari (Director of Upstream Technology Division) and Ms Felicity Lawrence Ening (Public relation Officer of MCB).

This discussion was one of the IKP roadshow programs to promote IKP and build collaboration with MCB in order to establish research collaboration network for modernising the cocoa industry in Malaysia. During the discussion, Prof. Dr. Wong shared the mission and vision of the Institute and highlighted the niche research areas and expertise in IKP. The IKP delegate was also briefed about the current research project in MCB. From this discussion, several research collaboration projects between IKP and MCB were identified and set to commence soon.

Date of Input: 31/07/2023 | Updated: 31/07/2023 | ainzubaidah