Enhancing agro knowledge

The Agriculture Technology Seminar Series VIII entitled "Enhancing Agro-Biodiversity" held at UTAR Perak Campus on 30 November 2013 was another replicated success after being held for the eighth time since its debut in 2010.

Jointly organised by UTAR Centre for Biodiversity Research and Faculty of Science, the seminar has been enjoying the constant support from faculty staff, students and sponsors. This time, the seminar managed to draw 200 participants, ranging from students, staff to agriculturists and enthusiasts. The seminar also saw the presence of keynote speakers from local and abroad such as United Malacca Berhad Senior Agronomist Tan Wee Hee, Assoc Prof Dr Hafidzi bin Mohd Noor from Universiti Putra Malaysia, MARDI Director of Strategic Planning and Innovation Dr Mohamad Roff Mohd Nor, Prof Dr Paul Teng Piang Siong from Nanyang Technology University, Singapore and Dr Amporn Winotai from the Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand.

Chairperson for UTAR Centre for Biodiversity Research Dr Tee Chong Siang recorded his appreciation to all parties for ensuring the success of the seminar and hoped to see it as a continued success in the following years. Organising Chairman Prof Dr Ooi Aun Chuan echoed Dr Tee's sentiments, and added that UTAR Vice President (R&D and Commercialisation) Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei and Dean of Faculty of Science Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng have been pillars of strength to the Centre for Biodiversity Research and are also stalwart supporters of the agriculture seminar. "Our seminars have been made possible because of the general support from all of you and also sponsors from KLK Berhad and Param Agricultural Soil Surveys (M) Sdn Bhd," Prof Ooi shared.

Dr Amporn, who was invited as speaker for the second time, expressed her joy to be back to share her research findings with young fecund minds. "This is an interesting seminar and I really didn't mind travelling all the way from Bangkok to UTAR Kampar," said the scientist from Thailand, and also expressed her keenness to attend the following series of the Agriculture Technology Seminar.

"I find the topic on Exploiting Biodiversity for Crop Disease Management presented by Prof Dr Paul from NTU very enlightening as it helps in my internship research which is related rice blast," shared final year Biotechnology student Julius Joshua, who was also impressed by other speakers' studies and expertise.

Prof Ooi then gave a summary of all the topics towards the end of the seminar in which he took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to both Dr Francis Ng and Dr Tee for moderating the seminar as well as facilitating in the Q&A session. "We're indeed privileged to have learnt so much from the speakers in just a day. As we need more passionate agriculture scientists in enhancing agro-biodiversity, we hope that our course will continue towards this direction," he concluded.

Dr Tee giving his opening remarks

The erudite speakers: (Clockwise from top left) Tan, Prof Dr Hafidzi, Dr Amporn, Dr Mohamad Roff, Prof Ooi and Prof Dr Paul

The attentive audience listening to Prof Ooi's welcoming remark