Insights into integrated farming systems

"I am glad that the seminar has been organised continuously and has since received more and more support from the industry such as Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Berhad and others," commented UTAR Vice President Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei when delivering his welcome address during the Agriculture Technology Seminar titled 'Integrated Farming Systems' which was held at UTAR Perak Campus from 28 to 29 June 2013.

Jointly organised by the Faculty of Science and UTAR Centre for Biodiversity Research and sponsored by KLK Berhad, the one-and-half day agricultural science seminar was indeed a convention of great minds. The seminar featured accomplished keynote speakers, ranging from a successful CEO of a local plantation company to learned professors, who shared their expertise and research findings in the industry with the rapt audience.

Prof Lee delivering his welcome address.

Organising Chairman Prof Dr Ooi Aun Chuan extended his unstinting gratitude to a list of people for their unswerving support and assistance. "I'm grateful for having the three moderators, Prof Dr Goh Swee Hock, Dr Chee Kheng Hoy and Dr Tan Swee Lian, for being here and assist us with the Q&A session," the Head of Department of Agricultural and Food Science said. "Thank you, Prof Lee Sze Wei, KLK Berhad, Chairman of Centre for Biodiversity Research Dr Tee Chong Siang, committee members, the speakers and friends for your support that ensures the success of this seminar."

Prof Ooi thanking the people who have made the seminar a success again.

CEO of IJM Plantation Berhad Mr Joseph Tek Choon Yee, who was the first keynote speaker, started the seminar's ball rolling with his talk titled "Oil Palm: The Holy Grail of Malaysian Plantation Agriculture - Timeline and Appraisal. "I aspire to inspire you before I expire," he started off jokingly, and proceeded to highlight the key challenges confronting the oil palm industry currently and the abundant opportunities towards enhancing oil palm yields and others.

Participant Puan Julie Marzlinda Mohd Razek from Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) found the seminar rewarding as she was able to gain extra knowledge and information that could assist in her research field. "I'm one of the delegates led by Dr Habsah Bidin, Head of National Animal Embryo Center (NAEC). Since our research is on livestock and somewhat interrelated with agriculture, this seminar gave us the opportunity to learn from speakers who are conversant with the agriculture sector."

First moderator Prof Goh introducing the keynote speakers before the seminar began.

Dean of Faculty of Science Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng presenting a token of appreciation to second keynote speaker Dr Francis Ng.