The first UTAR Agriculture Science Journal was unveiled during a launching
ceremony at Heritage Block, UTAR Perak Campus on 26 January 2015.
The Journal was launched by Perak State EXCO Member Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon.
He was accompanied by UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean
Teik, Dean of UTAR Faculty of Science (FSc) Associate Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng
and Honorary Editor of UTAR Agriculture Science Journal Dr Francis Ng. Also
in attendance were UTAR Council Member Hew Fen Yee, UTAR Vice Presidents
Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei (R&D and Commercialisation) and Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat
(Internationalisation and Academic Development), Deans, UTAR staff and
students.
(From left) Dr Lim, Prof Chuah, Dr Mah and Dr Francis posing for a group
photo after the launch
In his address, Dr Lim welcomed the audience and said, “The Journal intends
to be a magazine-like science journal with credibility, style and substance.
We aim to make high immediate impact with strong editorial management, good
information content, total free access by internet and strong presence in
the agricultural libraries of the world through complimentary distribution.”
He added, “With sponsorship from the Malaysian public, we are confident that
the Journal will become a powerful driving force for Malaysia and tropical
agriculture.” Dr Lim expressed his appreciation to Dr Francis and the
editorial team for their unrelenting efforts in making the Journal a
reality. He also thanked Prof Chuah and the faculty members for their strong
support and dedication in the production of the Journal.
Dr Lim conveying his gratitude to Dr Francis and the editorial team for
their efforts
In his speech, Prof Chuah said, “Agriculture is an important sector because
the world needs food. Our country used to be 70 per cent sufficient in food
security but the rate has declined due to rapid industrialisation. UTAR
wants to contribute to the sector and therefore, started the Department of
Agricultural and Food Science under the Faculty of Science.”
He added, “It is a milestone for the faculty to come up with the Journal.
Apart from welcoming Dr Mah to this momentous launching ceremony, I would
also like to thank to Dr Francis and the editorial team for their
indefatigable efforts in the production of the Journal.” Prof Chuah
also expressed hope that the Journal will contribute significantly to the
dissemination and sharing of research findings and knowledge in the field of
agriculture.
Prof Chuah expressing hope that the Journal will encourage the sharing of
agricultural knowledge
Speaking to the crowd, Dr Mah thanked UTAR for inviting him to the launching
ceremony. He also applauded the faculty for their success in producing the
high quality research journal. He said, “I am confident that the Journal
will be an invaluable guide to help share knowledge and promote
sustainability and competitiveness in the agriculture sector, both locally
and internationally.”
He added, “It is significant to have research-based evidence and information
to guide decisions and regulations on large scale market-centric
agribusiness. Research-based evidence can help to strengthen the quality and
effectiveness of agricultural management, policy-making and development
strategy. It has been shown that agricultural R&D could support agricultural
growth and the reduction of poverty.”
Dr Mah congratulating UTAR and the faculty on the successful launch of the
Journal
After launching the Journal website, Dr Mah gave away prizes to the winners
of the Journal Design Competition. Chee Kok Seang, a third-year Bachelor of
Communication (Hons) Advertising student, won the first prize and received
RM500. The consolation prize winners comprising Oh Jing Wei, Ryan Chong and
Seng Yu Wen received RM100 each.
Chee (centre) receiving his prize from Dr Mah while (from left) Dr Lim, Prof
Chuah and Dr Francis look on
(Fifth from left) Dr Lim, Prof Chuah, Dr Mah, Dr Francis and Hew posing for
a group photo with UTAR staff, guests and winners of the design competition
The Journal aims to provide and share agriculture information by treating
each topic as a subject for intelligent enquiry, explanation and
exploration. It is financed by sponsors and supporters of agriculture who
agree with UTAR that tropical agriculture requires an informative,
attractive, non-commercial and globally accessible journal of good quality.
The Journal is published quarterly and made accessible as a free education public service on the internet via the website http://uasj.utar.edu.my/
Wholly owned by UTAR Education Foundation (200201010564(578227-M)) LEGAL STATEMENT TERM OF USAGE PRIVACY NOTICE