UTAR and AAR collaborate to advance applied plantation research and smart farming solutions

UTAR and Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn Bhd (AAR) exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 3 July 2026 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus, marking a new step in research collaboration aimed at supporting applied plantation research, smart farming technologies and talent development.

The MoU provides a framework for both parties to explore joint international collaborative research projects, talent training programmes, academic development exchange, and joint supervision for master’s and doctoral studies where appropriate. The collaboration brings together UTAR’s academic and research capabilities with AAR’s industry experience in tropical plantation crops, agronomic practices and field-based research.

In his speech, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat said the collaboration reflected a shared commitment to knowledge, innovation and purposeful cooperation. He noted that meaningful partnerships with research-based industry organisations were important in ensuring that students and academics remain connected to real-world developments, emerging industry needs and opportunities for impactful research.

He also highlighted AAR’s strong focus on research and innovation, particularly in tropical plantation crops, agronomic practices and the use of scientific and technological advances to improve productivity and efficiency.

“Through this MoU, both parties may explore initiatives such as joint international collaborative research projects, talent training programmes, academic development exchange and, where appropriate, joint supervision for master’s and doctoral studies. These areas of cooperation will create valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building and the development of talent that can contribute meaningfully to industry and society,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of AAR, Head of Geospatial Section Dr Chen Zi Yan said the collaboration with UTAR would support applied research that responds to practical needs in the plantation industry. He highlighted soil moisture sensing as an important area of interest, noting that reliable data could support both agronomic and operational decision-making, including crop management, fertiliser application timing and field operations across large plantation areas.

He added that UTAR’s research expertise, particularly in data analysis and sensor development, could complement AAR’s field access and industry knowledge. Through the collaboration, he said both parties hoped to develop practical applications and research outcomes that could be applied more widely in plantation management.

AAR is a private research organisation that conducts research on tropical plantation crops and provides agronomic advisory support to its principals, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad and Boustead Plantations Berhad. Its work covers strategic areas aimed at improving productivity and efficiency in estates through crop science, agronomic management, information technology and the timely transfer of research findings to field practices.

For UTAR, the collaboration offers opportunities to deepen interdisciplinary research, expand field-based learning and strengthen industry engagement in areas related to agriculture, engineering, chemical studies, geospatial technology and smart farming. It also opens pathways for students and researchers to work on practical challenges faced by the plantation sector, particularly in developing technologies that are reliable, scalable and responsive to industry conditions.

Following the MoU exchange, both parties continued discussions on potential joint research collaboration and future areas of cooperation. Dr Chen expressed hope that the MoU would serve as the beginning of a long-term partnership between UTAR and AAR, with possibilities for further collaboration in areas such as crop science, microbial studies and other technologies relevant to plantation management.