UPM, PEKA sign MoU on timber research

SHAH ALAM - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has began a collaboration on education and research on the national timber industry with the Association of Malaysia Bumiputra Timber and Furniture Entrepreneurs (PEKA) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed today.

UPM Vice Chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Mohd Roslan Sulaiman said the MoU would benefit the university.

"This is in line with the UPM Strategic Plan 2021-2025 in which Goal 2 is to establish a research and innovation hub that generates value sustainable ecosystem and Goal 3 to preserve the industrial and society network ecosystem," he said.

He also added that the MoU gives the opportunity for students in the Bachelor of Science and Wood Technology program with Honors (BSTKdK), Department of Wood and Fiber Industry (JIKG), Faculty of Forestry and Environment (FHAS) to go into the country's timber industry besides gaining deeper experience and entrepreneurship knowledge.

"With the rapid growth in the country's timber industry, the demand for the number of trained skilled and professional graduates in the industry is expected to grow," he said.

PEKA president Farosham Naizamohideen said the cooperation benefits the timber industry through a joint program with UPM.

"This cooperation will build synergy to give exposure to BSTKdK students about opportunities in entering the country's woodworking industry alongside gaining experience and knowledge of entrepreneurship," he said.

At the same event, there was also the launch of a book entitled "Entrepreneurship and Career in the Woodworking Industry", which is the first publication of the collaboration between JIKG and PEKA regarding careers and information in the wood industry that can benefit from the BSTKdK, JIKG, FHAS, UPM programs in the woodworking industry.

The book is published by the cooperation of JIKG, FHAS, UPM and PEKA to provide information to young entrepreneurs who want to venture into entrepreneurship in the wood industry.

The author of the relevant book consists of staff and students of FHAS, UPM and PEKA staff.