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Speakers

Keynote speakers


 
Prof. Dr. rer. Nat. Hesham Ali El Enshasy
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
“Bioproducts Development and Industrialization for Sustainable Oil Palm Plantation”

Prof. Dr. Hesham is a distinguished bioprocess engineering expert and the current Director of the Innovation Centre in Agritechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA-UTM) since 2024, previously leading the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD-UTM) from 2018 to 2024. A professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) since 2009, he has held prominent academic and advisory roles globally, including adjunct and visiting professorships in Japan and Indonesia. Recognized among the top 2% of global researchers in biotechnology and energy by Stanford University since 2020, he has over 30 years of experience in industrial biotechnology, with more than 450 publications and 60 industrial projects. His leadership emphasizes international visibility, academic and financial sustainability, and strategic industry collaboration. He also serves as a consultant and board member for bioproduct development and ESG-aligned business strategies and is the editor of the CRC Press book series “Industrial Biotechnology.

 

 
Prof. Gs. Dr. Siva Kumar Balasundram
Universiti Putra Malaysia
“Data-driven Strategies for Better Resource Use in Plantation Management”
Prof. Dr. Siva K. Balasundram is a leading expert in Precision Agriculture and currently heads the Department of Agriculture Technology at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). He serves as the Asia-Oceania Regional Representative on the Board of the International Society of Precision Agriculture. With over two decades of experience, his research integrates geospatial statistics, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence to model spatio-temporal variability in agriculture. He has secured RM1.7 million in research funding, published 85 journal articles, and holds two copyrights and one patent. A passionate educator and speaker, Prof. Siva teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses and has delivered over 50 invited talks globally on Precision, Smart, and Digital Agriculture, contributing significantly to advancing sustainable and data-driven farming practices.

 

 
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yoshito Andou
Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan
“Toward Circularity and Sustainability: Valorization Strategies for Woody Biomass”

Dr. Yoshito Ando is an Associate Professor at Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan, with a distinguished career in polymer and organic chemistry, specializing in environmentally benign materials. He currently serves as Vice Director of the Office of International Strategic Partnerships and Director of both the Malaysia Super Satellite Campus and the Collaborative Research Centre for Green Materials. His pioneering work in lignocellulosic biomass processing has led to multiple patents and collaborations with major corporations. With over 160 publications, an h-index of 29, and more than 3,100 citations, he is a recognized leader in green chemistry. Prof. Ando has supervised numerous postgraduate students and received multiple international awards for research excellence, including gold and silver medals at innovation expos. He actively contributes to environmental councils and the Polymer Society’s Green Chemistry Division, promoting sustainable chemical practices.

 

 
Mr. M.R. Chandran
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
“ESG Perspectives in the Palm Oil Industry”

Mr. M.R. Chandran is a highly respected veteran in the agro-commodity and plantation industry, with over 60 years of executive experience. He served as Director and Head of Plantations at Socfin Company until 1995 and later became the founding CEO of the Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) from 1999 to 2005. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), serving as its first Chairman and later Vice President, and continues as an advisor. Mr. Chandran holds multiple leadership and advisory roles across Malaysian and international organizations, including PT Agro Indomas Group, IRGA Sdn Bhd, and Saraya Hygiene Japan. A graduate in Agricultural Economics and Technology from the University of Adelaide, he is recognized with numerous fellowships and honors, including the Kesatria Mangku Negara by the Malaysian government, for his lifelong commitment to sustainable practices and industry development.

  

Lead speakers


 

Prof. Dr. Indu Rani Chandrasekaran

Head of Department
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
Mitigating Post-harvest Losses through Technology and Entrepreneurship in Indian Agriculture


 

Prof. Dr. Norhisam Misron

Faculty of Engineering
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Magnetic Application: Contribution to Oil Palm Industry


 

Dr. Tjahjono Herawan

Senior Executive Vice President
PT Riset Perkebunan Nusantara, Indonesia
Agricultural Resources for Renewable Energy and Chemicals


 

Dr. Ramesh Veloo

Board of Director
Incorporated Society of Planters
“Ensuring Business Continuity Through Plantation Turnaround”


 

Dr. Seetha Jaganathan King

National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia


 

Mr. Barry Wilson

Chief Technical Officer
FPhyxd Innovations Group, Australia
FPhyxd: A New Innovation for Disease Control in Tropical Plantations


 

 

Mr. Romzi Ishak

Head R&D Division
FGV Holdings Berhad
An Integrated Pest and Disease Manangement : A Pathway to Sustainable Palm Oil Production


 

Mr. Chandru Seernyanathan

Founder and Managing Partner
BioTerra Agriculture Services Sdn. Bhd.
“Crop Yield Variability: Challenges and Solutions"


 

Mr. Make Jiwan

General Manager
Sarawak Rubber Industry Board
Revitalizing Sarawak Rubber Industry: SARIB Way


 

Forum panelists


Achieving the Ideal Balance Between Growth and Sustainability in the Plantation Industry

 

 

MODERATOR

Prof. Ts. Dr. Siti Khairunniza Bejo

Director
Institute of Plantation Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia


 

Dato' Seri Dr. Abdul Aziz Sheikh Ab. Kadir, FASc

Secretary-General
International Rubber Research Development Board (IRRDB)


 

Dr. Tan Sue Sian

Managing Director
Top Fruits Plantations Sdn. Bhd.


 

Dr. Cheryl Ong

Senior Manager, Research & Knowledge Management
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)


 

Datuk Dr. Ramle Hj. Kasin

Director General
Malaysian Cocoa Board



Updated:: 08/08/2025 [ainzubaidah]

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