Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI) marked a significant milestone in their ongoing partnership with the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 13 November 2024. The ceremony, held at Tokyo NODAI Setagaya Campus, reaffirmed the commitment of both institutions to collaborate in advancing research and student exchange, particularly focusing on food security, sustainable development, and planetary health. This renewal builds on a history of successful collaboration and aligns with the evolving priorities of both universities in addressing critical global challenges.

The event began with a warm welcome from Tokyo NODAI’s President, Prof. Dr. Fumio Eguchi, who expressed his delight at continuing the partnership, emphasizing its instrumental role in fostering innovative research and student mobility. He highlighted the importance of deepening ties, especially in agriculture and sustainable practices that address pressing issues like climate change and food scarcity. UPM’s Vice-Chancellor, YBhg. Dato' Prof. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the strategic alignment of this MoU renewal with UPM’s commitment to sustainability. He detailed UPM’s initiatives, including the Blueprint for Food Security 2024, which aims to enhance Malaysia’s self-reliance in food production by integrating urban farming, technological advancements, and policy reforms. He emphasized the blueprint's focus on tackling challenges related to import dependency and disruptions in global supply chains, reinforcing UPM’s leadership in agricultural innovation and food resilience. Moreover, YBhg. Dato' Prof. Dr. Ahmad Farhan also mentioned the Agrihub@Gedong Paddy Transformation Project, highlighting how UPM Bintulu Sarawak Campus (UPMKB) is working with the Sarawak state government to improve rice production in the state.

The renewed MoU focuses on strategic areas of cooperation such as joint research initiatives, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative projects aimed at advancing sustainable agriculture. Both universities are committed to leveraging innovative agricultural technologies to enhance food security and address planetary health. This collaboration aims to foster increased mobility of students, encouraging a robust exchange of knowledge and cultural insights. It reflects a shared commitment to finding solutions for global issues such as resource management, climate change, and sustainable food production.

The formal signing of the MoU was carried out by YBhg. Dato' Prof. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, Vice-Chancellor of UPM, and Prof. Dr. Fumio Eguchi, President of Tokyo NODAI. The signing was witnessed by Prof. Dr. Arifin Bin Abdu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) of UPM, and Prof. Dr. Machito Mihara, Director of the Center for Global Initiative at Tokyo NODAI. This renewal was initiated by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry at UPMKB, in collaboration with Tokyo NODAI’s Center for Global Initiatives, reflecting the strong spirit of collaboration between the two institutions.

Representing UPM at the ceremony were YBhg. Dato' Prof. Dr. Ahmad Farhan, Prof. Dr. Arifin Bin Abdu, Dr. Keeren Sundara Rajoo (UPMKB), and Mr. Sharudin bin Sahrani (Special Officer to the Vice-Chancellor). On the Tokyo NODAI side, notable attendees included President Eguchi, Vice President Prof. Dr. Shunsuke Yajima, Prof. Dr. Machito Mihara, Prof. Kazuyuki Inubushi, Assoc. Prof. Mami Irie, and other key members from the Center for Global Initiative.

The ceremony concluded with an exchange of gifts and a group photo. This MoU renewal signals a continued commitment to addressing global challenges through academic collaboration, innovative research, and nurturing future leaders in agriculture and environmental sciences. Both UPM and Tokyo NODAI look forward to deepening their partnership, leveraging their combined expertise to make significant contributions to the international sustainability agenda, focusing on food security and planetary health.

Date of Input: 15/11/2024 | Updated: 15/11/2024 | lanz