A
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between UTAR and Nestlé
Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Nestlé) at the Nestlé Paddy Club Farmers'
Day at Matang Mahang, Kerpan, Kedah on 20 February 2014.
Signing on behalf of the parties were UTAR Vice President
(Internationalisation & Academic Development) Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat who was
then Acting President and Region Head of Nestlé Malaysia and Singapore,
Alois Hofbauer. Witnessing the signing were UTAR Faculty of Engineering and
Green Technology Dean Dr Yap Vooi Voon and Nestlé Malaysia Group Engineering
Manager Hutch Singh.
In his
opening address, Prof Ewe thanked all parties for their efforts in making
the collaboration possible, and conveyed his appreciation to Hofbauer for
his support in fostering the UTAR-Nestlé partnership. "This partnership will
help to nurture intellectual human capital and advance performances and
capabilities for the industry," said Prof Ewe. He further added that the
training and exposure provided by Nestlé, a multinational food industrialist
would widen UTAR students' perspective on safe environmental methods and
help to spur research and vibrancy in the agricultural sector for the sake
of food supply and security.
"Nestlé and UTAR will conduct research in three specific areas of the
environment, safety and agronomy which involves paddy production. This
partnership is a good way to protect and preserve the environment for the
generations to come," Hofbauer said. He added that the collaboration aims to
minimise the environmental footprint of rice farming in the country, while
increasing the farmers' income by improving yields and reducing input costs.
The
UTAR-Nestlé initiatives include relevant engineering and green technology
research projects at the Nestlé Experimental and Demonstration ('E&D') farm
at Sik, Kedah and practical training for UTAR undergraduates and
post-graduates on green technology and engineering in the paddy agricultural
industry.
Prof
Ewe (right) shaking hands with Hofbauer(left) at the exchange of the MoU
document while Dr Yap and Hutch Singh looks on
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